Citizens Question Why No Crosswalk Was Added After New Striping On Fishkill Ave By Ron’s Ice Cream
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After A Little Beacon Blog’s article published highlighting the mainly federal and state funded infrastructure upgrades below the sidewalks on Fishkill Avenue, resulting in new sidewalks, paving and striping, readers expressed surprise that no crosswalk had been painted across from Memorial Park and Ron’s Ice Cream (Fishkill and Blackburn Avenues), a popular destination for kids and adults of all ages.
A new turning lane had been added to turn from Fishkill Avenue onto Blackburn Avenue, but no crosswalk initially at this popular intersection (a temporary one has since been added after publication). ALBB was asked by readers to look into the safety of that new turning lane, as pedestrian, bike and vehicle crossing felt less safe, readers said.
Some citizens reported that they thought they heard that a crosswalk was coming soon, while one citizen reporter, who gave ALBB permission to publish their correspondence with the City but preferred to remain anonymous, received this answer: “I emailed my Council member in Ward 3 [Councilperson Pam Weatherbee] and she said: ‘Unfortunately there is a delay in the installation of these two crosswalks as they were planning on being raised crosswalks for additional safety in the future but now delayed due to design adjustments needed as water ponding would occur with these raised crosswalks.
“‘They are now going to install two regular crosswalks with speed tables separated from them on either side rather than raised crosswalks. I am told this project should be completed in the coming weeks. I know the safety of our community, especially children, is important and we hope the final design makes this area even safer.’”
At the following City Council Meeting, several citizens attended to speak during Public Comment, including a grandmother and other parents. City Administrator Chris White responded that the overall planning for this infrastructure and street upgrade was 20 years old, and that he would authorize the painting of a temporary crosswalk the following day while the re-planning of the approved one was finalized.
The next day, the City of Beacon did paint the temporary crosswalk in two locations: at Wilkes Street and at Blackburn Avenue (Ron’s Ice Cream).
However, citizens remain highly concerned about the new turning lane, saying it blocks the view of pedestrians trying to cross and is not safe for bikers, with one non-existent sidewalk on the Hanna Lane side. More on that in the next article.
