Town Hall Crosswalk To Be Relocated

By Andrew Gorosko

As a public safety measure, the Police Commission has endorsed relocating a Main Street crosswalk 60 feet to the north to place the crosswalk directly in front of the entrance to Edmond Town Hall.

“It’s a public safety issue. We’re trying to locate that crosswalk where it will be used safely by all,” said Acting Police Chief Michael Kehoe. The Police Commission serves as the town’s Traffic Authority.

“I think it will make people use that crosswalk more,” the acting chief said.

The existing crosswalk meets the west side of Main Street in the area between the entrance to town hall and the entrance to Newtown General Store.

The town hall gets heavy public use, especially at night when movies are screened in the town hall auditorium. Some moviegoers park their vehicles along the east side of Main Street, requiring them to cross the street before entering town hall and then recross the street after exiting the building.

A fatal auto accident in October 1998 heightened public awareness of pedestrian safety in that area.

Pedestrian Wolcott Toll, 78, of Pocono Road, Hawleyville, was struck by an elderly motorist while crossing Main Street on foot about 9:10 pm October 15, 1998. Mr Toll later died. Mr Toll did not use the crosswalk in that area while crossing the street.

Since that accident, local officials have taken various steps to enhance pedestrian safety in that area, including improved lighting and the placement of traffic signs informing motorists that they must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

“I think, in the end, the [new crosswalk] location will serve the community exceptionally well,” Acting Chief Kehoe said. “We’d like to get it done as soon as possible,” he said.

Police Commission member Richard Simon, who initiated the crosswalk project, said he has sought and received approvals for the project from borough officials and the state.

To make the relocated crosswalk accessible to handicapped people, a sidewalk spur would be extended from the sidewalk that parallels Main Street along the east side of the Main Street to the relocated crosswalk, he said. The sidewalk spur would allow a person in a wheelchair easy access to the relocated crosswalk.

“If it saves one person’s life, it’s been worth it,” Mr Simon said of the crosswalk relocation project.

Mr Simon said he is still raising funds needed for the project. The work is expected to cost about $3,300, he said. He said he hopes that the crosswalk is relocated by the end of September.