MILTON, Del. - The crosswalk at Federal Street that connects a part of the Rails-to-Trails could be getting a new safety feature to further reduce driver's speeds. The Streets and Sidewalks Committee in Milton presented this need to Mayor and Town Council on Dec. 4.
Gregory Sullivan and his loyal companion, Kip the dog, walk the Rails-to-Trails path several times each week. Their routine, however, is not without its perils. Sullivan said he has had nearly a dozen close calls with cars at a the Federal Street crossing,
"People just stop paying attention or either they don't care... I'm not sure which but it can be scary at times."
Those who frequent this pathway echo Sullivan's concerns, particularly when cars speed around the bend, leading up to the crosswalk, where the limit was recently reduced to 25 miles per hour.
The committee proposed the use of flexible delineators (flexible poles) in this configuration to address safety concerns.
The committee proposed the use of flexible delineators (flexible poles) in this configuration to address safety concerns. They said this setup would
- Reduce the crossing distance for trail users
- Slow down drivers through visual lane narrowing
- Promote increased instances of drivers yielding to pedestrians
Mary Louise York also walks the trail. She expressed her desire for exploring alternative options,
"When a walker can actually push a button and it will flash lights and really say 'Hey I'm ready to cross!'"
Sullivan, while supportive of the delineators, emphasized that the safety of crossing ultimately rests in the hands of drivers.
"I just wish people would pay more attention while they're driving their vehicles," said Sullivan.
Work on Federal Street would have to be executed by the Delaware Department of Transportation, if this project is to proceed.
The discussions around implementing safety measures continue, aiming to strike a balance between ensuring the safety of trail users and promoting greater vigilance among drivers sharing the road with pedestrians.
Councilwoman Meredith, Chair of the Streets and Sidewalk Committee, will be writing a recommendation to this proposal for the next Town Council meeting on Jan. 8 for further consideration.