Politics & Government
Saratoga Completes Pedestrian Crosswalk Improvements
Improvements will be officially unveiled during ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, June 6 at Cox Avenue near Quito Village Shopping Center.
Editor's Note: The following press release was submitted by the City of Saratoga. It's been edited for brevity and clarity.
The City of Saratoga will hold a ribbon cutting event at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 6 to celebrate the completion of the improved pedestrian crosswalk at Cox Avenue near the Quito Village Shopping Center.
The event will take place in front of the Quito Village Shopping Center located at 18860 Cox Avenue.
The project replaced a standard painted crosswalk and sign with in-pavement warning lights intended to reduce driver speed and increase pedestrian safety.
A speed table was installed raising the height of the street making pedestrians more visible to drivers. The elevated surface also works as a speed bump.
The crosswalk is adjacent to senior housing and many elderly rely on the crosswalk to reach the market and retail shops across the street at the Quito Village Shopping Center.
The Traffic Safety Commission, or TSC, studied pedestrian safety at the location after a few collisions resulted in serious injuries to pedestrians.
The Commission recommended installation of an enhanced crosswalk at the Cox location in February 2008.
“I am proud of the work that the Traffic Commission does to improve traffic safety in our community,” said Saratoga Mayor Jill Hunter. “The Commission’s work is a fine example of the public process working effectively in Saratoga.”
The TSC meets on a bi-monthly basis to review and assess traffic concerns raised by Saratoga residents.
Most Commission-recommended improvements are small and fall within the scope of the operating budget or the re-striping and signage project.
Occasionally, more costly remediation, such as this project, is warranted and roadway safety and traffic calming project funds are used.
The city contracted with Tennyson Electric in the amount of $142,000.
With the completion of this project, the city has installed three in-pavement warning lights around Saratoga.
Visit www.saratoga.ca.us/tsc to access TSC information.
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