Macon-Bibb pedestrian safety summit focuses on sidewalks, lighting and Gray Highway plan

Macon-Bibb’s Pedestrian Safety Summit focused on community concerns and the $7 million Gray Highway safety project designed to reduce accidents.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Concerns over sidewalks, lighting and youth safety took center stage Wednesday as residents and leaders met at the Macon-Bibb County Pedestrian Safety Review Board Safety Summit, which also highlighted a $7 million project aimed at making Gray Highway safer for walkers and cyclists.

Zakiya Muhammad, a longtime resident, shared the personal impact of unsafe streets. Her twin brother, Daniel Muhammad, was killed in 2012 while crossing Gray Highway to go to Walmart.

“People need to be more caring and courteous,” she said. “At the end of the day, this could be your child or your husband that’s hit.”

Transportation Safety Manager Weston Stroud spoke about a $7 million Safe Streets for All grant that will fund the East Macon Loop Project. The initiative includes 3.5 miles of multi-use trail and a new mile of sidewalk along Gray Highway, aiming to make travel safer for both pedestrians and cyclists.

“We’ll be able to put sidewalks on Gray Highway after Shurling Drive so people can have access to Walmart without having to walk in the grass,” Stroud explained.

The new trail will connect Highlands Park, Camellia Garden and the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, tying together key community spaces and parks. The project is expected to be completed by 2029.

Muhammad mentioned the need for more kid-friendly spaces, saying many children are outdoors while parents are at work.

“There should be more bike lanes and more areas for children to maneuver,” she said.

Greg Brown, President of the Pedestrian Safety Review Board, said Wednesday that pedestrian-related accidents in the area are declining.