The Route 117 crosswalk construction site on October 13 looking east from Old Sudbury Road (right) and Hannan Agro Farms (left). Photo by Alice Waugh.
A new crosswalk project now underway on Route 117 at Old Sudbury Road has caused traffic slowdowns due to bumps and potholes in unpaved roadway.
The work consists of a pedestrian island with flashing beacons, a short section of sidewalk at the Old Sudbury Road end that connects to the sidewalk on the opposite side of Route 117, and new pavement between the railroad tracks and the crosswalk.
“We anticipate completing this work by the end of November,” said DPW Superintendent Stephen Olson.
The Transportation Coalition’s five-year plan (click image to enlarge).
The project is high on the list of roadway safety improvement priorities in the Transportation Coalition’s five-year plan presented in a September 30 forum (slides here, recording here). The first on the list, an improved crosswalk in front of the Old Town Hall, has been delayed by the water main project.
As a result of increased awareness of pedestrian and cyclist needs and design best practices, the coalition said, Lincoln’s basic roadway standards have been adjusted:
- Narrowing of roadway travel lanes
- Widening of shoulder between the white edge lines and edge of pavement
- Consistent roadway edge treatments to minimize surprises
- Beefed-up crosswalk designs, including flashing beacons, raised crosswalks
- New paths
Who will use this?
It appears to be a crosswalk to nowhere.
What paths does it connect?