12/11/08
Councilors adopt short-term measures to improve pedestrian safety in the town center
The town council on Dec. 8 made good on their intention to take short-term action to increase pedestrian safety in the town center.
At their December meeting, the council approved a nine-point plan that ranges from better enforcement of existing traffic regulations - including speed limits and crosswalk laws - to installing a new crosswalk signal at the intersection of Route 77 and the High School entrance.
"All would be done right away except for crosswalks due to temperatures needed for paint," said Town Manager Michael McGovern, in a memo to the council.
McGovern said he met with the chief of police and the public works director, as well as several citizens, before developing his list of short-term solutions for pedestrian safety in the town center.
The list includes:
- Install a new signalized crosswalk across Route 77 at the high school driveway. This would be tied into the existing traffic light.
- Install in-road stanchions at the Key Bank crosswalk (at Shore Road) and at the town hall crosswalk. “State Law, Yield to Pedestrians Within Crosswalk ” or same message partially with pictographs.
- Provide a bucket of red flags at either side of the three crosswalks on Route 77 for individuals to carry from one side of the road to the other.
- Enhance the painting of each crosswalk so that they are more prominent.
- Install six signs indicating “No Passing in the Bike Lane.”
- Install signs at sides of each crosswalk indicating “Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalks” or same message partially with pictographs.
- Stronger enforcement of law requiring vehicles to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Request the Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner to review the speed limit in the town center area.
- Convene a working group of two town councilors, a school board member, the chief of police and the town manager to meet four times in 2009 to evaluate pedestrian issues in the town center, to review progress and to make additional recommendations.
None of the measures require funding that has not already been budgeted, McGovern said. The crosswalk and signal at the high school would be part of a bond issue that has already been approved, and funding for the other items would come from this year's sidewalk maintenance account. "There's no additional appropriation being asked for," McGovern said.
The crosswalk at the high school entrance is in answer to the increased number of walkers and bikers from the Old Ocean House Road area to the school campus.
The recommendations are an outgrowth of last month's public hearing on a proposed traffic signal and pedestrian improvements to the main intersection at Shore, Scott Dyer and Ocean House roads. Many councilors who supported tabling the signal said they first wished to explore less costly alternatives to improving pedestrian safety. It is also listed among goals for the council in 2009.
McGovern did note, however, that the recommendations do not address the level of service problems at the town center intersection of Scott Dyer Road, Shore Road and Route 77.
Total estimated cost of the pedestrian safety plan is $12,200, with the new crosswalk costing and estimated $8,000. Crosswalk painting, to be done in the spring, is estimated at $1,500; various signs, $2,000; in-road stanchions, $660; and, red flags minimal expense, $40.
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