Bethel Downtown Crosswalk Gone, Not Likely to Return Soon

After the recent road paving was completed on Greenwood Ave. (Rte. 302), Bethelites may have noticed that a crosswalk is missing in front of Dr. Mike’s at 158 Greenwood Ave. Even before the crosswalk was paved over, this intersection was dangerous with cars and trucks speeding by as children tried to cross to go to the dance school or other places in town.

Bethel Patch called the First Selectman last week to ask when the crossing would be repainted. Matt Knickerbocker responded via voice mail through his secretary, Wendy Smith:

“This is a state DOT problem, it’s a state road. The DOT has said this was not an authorized crosswalk and they don’t want it to be replaced, they won’t allow it. Our highway superintendent and one of the the police lieutenants are working with DOT to see if they’ll allow an exception.”

On April 16, 2014, Lt. Richard Dickinson said in a letter sent to the State Department of Transportation that he learned approval records were not in place for the crosswalks at 138 and 158 Greenwood Ave.

On July 7, 2014 the State of CT DOT sent Lt. Dickinson a reply stating that the following standards would need to be met in order to reinstall the crosswalks:

• East/west roadway with a posted speed of 25 MPH.
• Has an 85th percentile speed of 36 MPH in the eastbound direction.
• Has an 85th percentile speed of 35 MPH in the westbound direction.
• Traveling eastbound approaching the location there is a 2.6% upgrade.
• Traveling eastbound approaching the location there is a 10 degree horizontal curve to the left.
• The required Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) for the 85th speed was calculated to be 240 feet.
• The SSD measured in the field is 450 feet in the westbound direction, and 230 feet in the
• eastbound direction.
• Although the 230 feet SSD is acceptable for the posted speed limit, it does not meet the
• requirements for the 85th percentile speed.

When installing a new crosswalk the Department strives to satisfy ADA (Americans with
Disabilities Act) requirements. Crosswalks are best located where concrete ramps and sidewalks are
provided.

A recent field review revealed that pedestrian ramps at the location of the requested midblock crosswalk are not ADA compliant. If the Town of Bethel wishes to pursue the installation of the requested crosswalk, ADA compliant pedestrian ramps must be installed. If the Town of Bethel constructs ADA compliant ramps on the north and south side of Route 302 at the proposed location, then the Department will install a crosswalk with the appropriate signs as scheduling permits. An encroachment permit from the Department’s District 4 Office would be required prior to performing any work within the state right-of-way. Additionally, on street parking would need to be adjusted to restrict all parking within 25 feet of a marked crosswalk as specified in Section 14-251 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Bethel Patch called the First Selectman’s office on Monday, Sept. 29 to see if any of the recent downtown revitalization state grant money could be used for this project. As of Tuesday, Sept. 30 our call was not returned.

How do you feel about the crosswalks being replaced? Do you think they are necessary for public safety? Tell us in the comments.

Photo: Wendy Mitchell

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