Letter of Support for Pedestrian Safety (5 Pages including 2 Addenda)
To: Jordon Gonda, Jon Jamieson, Fred Messer, Brian Shupe & Christine Sullivan --The Waitsfield Select Board (Updated)
From: Waitsfield Community Residents
Dear Members of the Waitsfield Select Board:
We are all aware of the tragic accident last fall when Mariah McGill was killed at the Carrol Road crosswalk in Waitsfield. On January 4, 2021, Carol Hosford (Waitsfield), Roger J. Porter, MD, (Fayston) and Doug Stoehr (Warren) provided a presentation--on behalf of the MRV Citizens Concerned About Waitsfield Pedestrian Safety--to the Waitsfield Select Board on January 4, 2021. Please see https://mrvtv.com/611630-2/
We suggested 2 approaches:
1.) Reduce the speed limit on Route 100 through Waitsfield--currently 30 MPH--to 25 MPH, decreasing the risk of severe pedestrian injury/death by approximately 50%.
2.) Install rapid rectangular flashing beacons (RRFBs) (pedestrian initiated—the light only lasts about 30 seconds) at all 4 crosswalks (soon to become 6). These can be purchased and installed for about $11,000* per crosswalk. Subsequent to that presentation, a few dedicated and thoughtful members of the community suggested we delay action in favor of a pedestrian study. The MRV Citizens Group politely disagreed and created a website that clearly shows the abundant studies already available; we need action, not studies. Please see https://waitsfieldpedestriansafety.weebly.com/full-analysis.html.
We endorse the recent joint efforts of the Waitsfield Select Board and VTrans to address pedestrian safety. Our recommendations could easily be included in the implementation of the westside sidewalk project and result in an even more pedestrian-friendly village.
This letter seeks to emphasize--to the Waitsfield Select Board—that following members of the Waitsfield community, strongly and urgently, support new and more effective pedestrian safety measures in our town. At a minimum we request urgent installation of 2 RRFB systems on Route 100—one at the Bridge Street crosswalk and one at the Carroll Road crosswalk.
We recognize that bureaucratic and budget hurdles may need to be overcome to accomplish this goal, but these obstacles cannot stand in the way of the safety of our citizens. We seek more than your consideration. We respectfully seek your commitment to action.
ADDENDUM #2 to the Letter of Support for Pedestrian Safety UNEDITED COMMENTS FROM THE RESPONDERS TO THE WEB LETTER TO THE WAITSFIELD SELECT BOARD:
I am very concerned about the crosswalk’s at Bridge Street and Carrol Rd. Please, vote to make changes of protection in these two area’s!!! I’m also concerned about the crosswalk after sidewalk ends on 100 across from Mehuron’s. Pedestrians must cross there to get back on the side walk. This crosswalk is a busy one, especially in the summer! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I would also note that in addition to the signs, the existing crosswalk striping is extremely faded and should also be repainted at a minimum.
Thank you for taking up this initiative to protect the community! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are in favor of flashing lights being installed in Waitsfield at these locations:
1. Intersection of Rt 100 and Bridge St- very bad!!! Many children use this intersection all year long. Going to the river, getting ice cream at Troy’s, Using the Library. 2. On Rt 100 at the Big Picture. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for your work on this project.I fully support this reasonable request. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was actually hit in a crosswalk in Maine 22 years at. It was not a good experience. ---------------------------- Thanks to you & others for your efforts ~ Our MRV MAY, in our future, have Safer road crossings -----------------------------------------
I'm pretty sure nobody that prioritizes their own safety and looks both ways has ever been struck in the cross walk....Now the entitled on the other hand are a different story....A good friend of mine has always said....I had the right of way isn't something you want on your head stone. May I suggest you also discuss the people walking and running on the roads. They are out there at dusk with no safety lighting...they are invisible. They walk in the middle of the road. They walk in the middle of the road when plows are out trying to clear the roads. They walk and run on roads that are steep narrow and windy with guardrails so there is no room for error. There are plenty of safer options. They are all entitled....or another word for it is stupid. Thank you for the work you are doing.
I support improved safety measures specifically the pedestrian crossing lights at Bridge Street and Carroll Rd and the reduction in Route 100 speed limit from 30 to 25mph. The speed reduction should extend from the current beginning of the 30mph light North of Waitsfield Elementary and end below the intersection of 100 and 17. It would be good to add a flashing radar sign for Rt. 100 at the intersection of 100 and 17. I believe these speed warning lights are effective means to get driver attention. It should be recognized that reduction of speed in this area of Rt. 100 will result in a longer dwell of traffic passing through, however the consequences of pedestrian deaths should outweigh the inconvenience. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We feel very strongly about flashing light ,more safety with the increased car traffic. Thanks- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've added our name, but I'd also propose adding a third sign down at the Elementary School Crosswalk, which I also think is a risk folks heading south on 100 and going from a 50 to a 30. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for getting back. Good on ya for this good work. As part of my regular running workouts, I cross Rte 100 at the crosswalk near the clinic and elementary school several times a week. It's usually a scary proposition and I am SUPER cautious before setting foot off the sidewalk. But I am always surprised at how many oblivious drivers zoom right by, even with me standing there in my red windbreaker and/or high-vis safety vest. So I applaud what you folks are doing!! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Roger, I am a bit confused. The select board has posted that the state of Vermont must make the decisions about pedestrian crossings on Route 100. I do not know how the MRV concerned citizens petition fits into the big picture. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- (You say Waitsfield residents but this is a Valley issue and impacts all of us. Thank you.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for your work on this important issue. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Please add my name as a supporter of pedestrian safety efforts. Even though, you left out the work of the planning district transportation committee on pedestrian safety, a committee that I am on.
I support installation of lighted timed crosswalk signs. --------------------------------------------------------------------- I support this improvement. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please add our names. Thank you for your efforts. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please add my name in support of the effort to increase pedestrian safety in Waitsfield.
Also, I've recently been reading about pavement coloration used instead of paint to demarcate bike lanes and crosswalks. Paint is readily worn away. As it happens I was in Woodstock,VT recently and took note that their crosswalks were created with a layer of colored material, certainly better than paint. I'm not sure what the surface plan is for the new crosswalks in the village, but would now like to know
Thanks for the time to get this initiative going. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I wrote about my almost hitting a child who darted behind a UPS truck at the Rt 100/Bridge St intersection. This is a terrible intersection. People trying to Cross at several places, cars creeping into Rt 100 From Bridge St to see when they can turn onto 100. In the summer the kids running around. (Which is wonderful for them but they need more Help to be safe at the intersection!!!)
As a nurse, in nursing school, we learn that the most Important part of a health issue is prevention. This is a life or death situation; please do not delay in The review and implementation of these pedestrian Safety protections. ------------------------------------------------------------------ We would like to add our support for installations of two RRFB systems, including one at the end of Carroll Rd where our business is located. We’re also happy to speak with the Select Board if that’d be helpful in the process. Thank you for bringing this attention to the Waitsfield community, we are in full support of increasing pedestrian safety! -----------------------------------------------------------------