Crosswalk safety to improve
Improvements for sidewalk crossings around GC&SU’s campus, including safety features designed to warn drivers and protect students, began August 30.
Project Manager for the Facilities Planning Department Donnie Beasley explained that crosswalks for Montgomery, Wilkinson and Hancock Streets will acquire curbing that will angle in toward the sidewalk, allowing students and drivers to see each other without the obstruction of parked vehicles. Masts with arching arms will hold pedestrian crossing signs above the walk to alert drivers.
“I don’t think (drivers) respect the crosswalks at all. I never assume that a car is going to stop,” graduate student and creative writing major Ashlee Adams said. Although complaints about the safety of the former crosswalks had not been voiced to Beasley directly, he had observed a growing need for safety improvements.
“I have watched students almost get hit,” Beasley said. “The safety of the students is my number one thing.”
State funds financed the $160,000 project for three crosswalks, and Beasley is working on acquiring funds for crosswalk improvements on Clarke Street.
“I’m hoping we’re going to be through by mid-November. That is our hope, weather permitting,” Beasley said.
He urged that students cross at red lights or non-barricaded crosswalks while construction is taking place.
Beasley also noted that about five parking spaces on Hancock Street will be lost after the completion of the project. However, Montgomery and Wilkinson Streets may not lose any spaces.
Adams was also concerned about crosswalk safety at night. She suggested that lighting systems or flashers be added to the crosswalks for the safety of students who attend classes at night.
“Department of Transportation hasn’t approved lighting yet, but we’re hoping that they will,” Beasley said.”But somebody told me one time, ‘Don’t let that bother you. That’s progress.’”
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Sep 9 2005. Filed under News.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
