COHOES, N.Y. -- According to the state Department of Transportation, there have been five pedestrian accidents on a section of Route 787 in Cohoes since 2000. Three of them have been fatal, including 16-year-old Brittany Knight, who was killed in 2016.

"Safety is the top priority, and one of the things is how can we make it that it helps enhance the ability for users of all to use this road," said Bryan Viggiani, a DOT spokesman.

On Tuesday night, the DOT tried to solve that problem by presenting its preliminary $15 million plan to make Cohoes Boulevard safer for motorists and pedestrians.

Those enhancements includes a shared path for walkers and cyclists. The plan also calls for a roundabout at the intersection of 787 and Dyke Avenue. On top of that, there will be a medium with grass and trees, and raised intersections to slow down traffic.

"It gives it more of a feel of comfortable for all users," Viggiani said.

DOT officials are also planning to reduce the speed limit to 35 miles per hour. However, the plan does raise some concerns, specifically when it comes to adding the roundabout. 

"I think that it would cause a lot of traffic delays and more fender benders, more accidents," said Kraig Roche, a Cohoes resident.

"It would endanger many senior residents living on Dyke Avenue," said George Hebert, a Cohoes resident. "It reduces their access to the markets going up on Saratoga Street."

DOT officials say they will take all public comments into consideration before releasing their final plan early next year. They are hoping to begin construction next year. The goal is to have it completed by the end of 2019.