Raised crosswalk set from Maywood to trailer park

Although there is already a crosswalk at the four-way intersection of Marguerite Avenue and Fig Lane from Palm Village Manufactured Home Community to Maywood Middle School, the city will be putting in an additional raised crosswalk to aid students who have been crossing the street unsafely.

The City Council approved the raised crosswalk on a 4-0 vote. Councilman Dave Linnet was absent from the Jan. 22 meeting.

City Manager John Brewer said there is no sidewalk along the east side of Marguerite Avenue adjacent to the mobile home park where students can walk from the driveway of the park to the current pedestrian crossing at the intersection.

"Since it is the most direct route to and from Maywood school, kids from the mobile home park regularly cross Marguerite Avenue at the driveway location," Brewer said.

Mayor Gary Strack said he had been approached by a school employee voicing concern about the safety of students crossing from the park.

"The city has received several complaints regarding speeding motorists along this stretch of Marguerite Avenue," Brewer said. "We believe the appropriately signed and marked raised crosswalk will assist in slowing motorists entering and exiting the city."

He is hopeful the crosswalk will slow down traffic as well as provide safety for students.

The park's driveway sits approximately 50 yards from the intersection and current crosswalk.

Former city councilman Ross Turner said he has concerns about the placing another raised crosswalk at that site.

"It is up to us to make the children learn how to cross the streets the right way," he said. "I also have concerns about emergency vehicles traveling code three being surprised when they hit the raised crosswalk."

Turner also said concerns over the additional raised crosswalk for those in the agriculture field hauling product to Bell Carter.

In response to Turner's concerns, the city notified all local emergency service providers of the proposed raised crosswalk.

"We received no negative response to our notification," Brewer said.

Estimated cost of the project is $2,660. Brewer said the crosswalk will not be constructed until this summer.

"Our tentative plan is to overlay that segment of Marguerite Avenue between Moon Road and Fig Lane this summer. The raised crosswalk will be timed after an asphalt overlay is completed," said the city manager.

He said alternative funding could possibly come through the Safe Routes to School project that will take place this summer constructing sidewalks along the eastern end of Fig Lane at Centennial High School and Clark Park.