Construction on crosswalks a go

Georgia College & State University campus crosswalk improvements which began in August and were scheduled to be completed in November should be finished this February.

The $160,000 project consists of three sidewalk improvements across camps. There is one crossing Montgomery Street towards the library, one crossing Hancock Street towards the Student Activities Center and one crossing Wilkinson Street towards Herty Hall. The original plan called for four crosswalk improvements but the school could only finance three.

“The money for the project comes from the Georgia Major Repair and Renovation (MRR) Fund,” project manager for the Facilities Department

Donnie Beasley said. “The school submits a list to the states of several projects that need to be done and the state prioritizes and approves certain projects. It is like a wish list.”

The crosswalk improvements eliminated parking spaces around the crosswalks to enhance visibility of pedestrians.

“I think the new crosswalks are very helpful,” English professor Danielle Wyckoff said. “Drivers don’t pay enough attention to pedestrians. I have seen a girl almost get hit by ensuing traffic.”

The project was also meant to enhance visibility by illuminating crosswalks with a pedestrian sign and a street lamp.

“The crosswalks before were very dangerous, I praise the Lord there was not an accident” Beasley said. “Drivers could not see students because they would enter the street from behind parked cars.”

Because Hancock Street and Montgomery Street are part of the state highway system- Highways 49 and 22 respectively- Georgia Department of Transportation approval was required for the project to continue.

“The main reason for the delay is safety,” Beasley said. “Our number one goal is the safety of the students.”

The installation was further halted due to required submittal for certain parts. The poles used to hold the street sign and lamp required a submittal to the state, which takes time to fulfill.

Also, the crosswalk in front of Herty Hall off Wilkinson Street needed more construction due to standing water that accumulates near the crosswalk.

However, many people still believe the construction will pay off for the university.

“The new crosswalks help students a lot,” said Jamie Tribble, middle grades education major. “Now, cars are more aware of people crossing the streets.”

Although the delay did not cost the school any extra money it was considered by many a major inconvenience. The Facilities Department is planning for the new crosswalks to be completed in mid-February if the weather is permitting.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Jan 27 2006. 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