LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Parkland Asphalt Art Project is painting intersections in west Louisville to help drivers focus on the road and reduce car crashes.

Six intersections are coming to life with artistic designs.

“I like to brighten up the public, get my art out there ... it's always usually colorful and gives people a good feeling,” said Casey McKinney, artist.

One of six artists chosen to work on the project, McKinney has made murals and attended art shows for the past 20 years.

“I don't usually create a lot of my own work," McKinney said. "If I'm doing commission stuff, it's usually creating somebody else's vision, but somewhat my style." 

Louisville is one of 25 cities Bloomberg Philanthropies is giving grants to for an asphalt art project. The initiative aims to reduce the number of accidents between drivers and pedestrians.

“This kind of project cuts those accidents and fatalities down, helps keep the public safe and hopefully keeps drivers a little more aware of their surroundings,” McKinney said.

According to the Asphalt Art Study, which Bloomberg Philanthropies did with a consulting firm, intersections with asphalt art had a 50% reduction in the rate of crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.

“It feels good to think that this will help keep people safe,” McKinney said.

When the intersection is done, it will look like bright and colorful. McKinney made the design.

“Usually, my work involves either some sort of floral, some flowers and natural elements," McKinney said. "Sometimes it has animals; sometimes there are landscapes sort of mixed in with my style." 

Louisville now joins the 475,000 of streetscape across the world with artwork supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

According to Vision Zero, the city’s transportation safety initiative, there have been 88 car accidents this year involving pedestrian and bicycles causing death or serious injuries.