Crosswalks

Streetscape project to improve downtown Downtown Hagerstown pedestrians and drivers will face a major renovation of roads and sidewalks next year, according to a Maryland State Highway Administration official. The state is expected to embark on a $1 million urban streetscape reconstruction downtown in May 1999 and have it completed by that winter, said Bill Park, engineering systems team manager in LaVale, Md. The project will be paid for with state and federal funds. Gov. Parris N. Glendening will be in Hagerstown on Monday to promote the project, which is part of his anti-sprawl Smart Growth initiative.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. -- The Borough of Waynesboro is receiving some unexpected help in improving pedestrian safety. Flashing strobe lights will be installed at three downtown crosswalks thanks to behind-the-scenes work of Dave Rock and Stuart Honodel, employees of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 8. The lights and their installation come at no cost to the borough. "They felt it was important to have them in town because of the rash of incidents we had," Borough Engineer Kevin Grubbs said in making the announcement.

An 11-year-old girl who ran into a car while on her way to school in Smithsburg on Tuesday morning was taken to Meritus Medical Center, where she was treated and released, Smithsburg Police Chief George Knight said. The girl ran between two cars that were stopped in traffic and into an oncoming car that was traveling east on North Main Street in Smithsburg, he said. The accident occurred about 7:45 a.m. between Smithsburg High School and Smithsburg Elementary School. Knight said the youngster was on her way to Smithsburg Elementary School.

Northeast Ave. issue back to committee WAYNESBORO, PA. - About a dozen people who live near the intersection of Northeast Avenue and East Main Street attended a Waynesboro Borough Council meeting on Wednesday and expressed support for installing a traffic light there. They were divided on whether Northeast Avenue should be made a one-way street with northbound traffic. Many of the residents spoke about vehicles speeding in the area, making it dangerous to cross East Main Street to access the Waynesboro Mall.

waynesboro@herald-mail.com Twenty years ago, Pennsylvania passed a law requiring motorists to stop for pedestrians at all intersections and crosswalks, marked or unmarked. Borough officials in Greencastle think drivers who are new to the area and even those who were around when the law was passed may either not know about the law or have forgotten how important it is for pedestrian safety, said Borough Councilwoman Sydnae Vanner. Vanner, Councilwoman Jean Oliver, Borough Manager Kenneth Myers and Police Chief Terry Sanders held a press conference Friday aimed at reminding drivers of the law. There are signs at the four main entrances to the borough telling drivers the law says they must stop for pedestrians, Sanders said.

Future is bright for Hagerstown To the editor: In Boonsboro resident Charles Miller's June 15 letter to the editor, he listed several questions he wished to have answered regarding the U.S. 40 "Streetscape" improvements in Hagerstown. 1. The City of Hagerstown did not fund this project. Absolutely no city tax funds were used. The project was funded in full by the Maryland State Highway Administration's (MDSHA) "Neighborhood Conservation Program. " Similar projects were completed by MDSHA on state routes in Hancock, Clear Spring, Boonsboro, Sharpsburg and other communities statewide.

Washington County Public Schools crossing guard Linda Corderman braves the cold, windy weather Wednesday afternoon as she helps Bester Elementary School students cross Maryland Avenue.

HANCOCK - Work is progressing on a high-tech Maryland State Highway Administration crosswalk on Md. 144 in downtown Hancock. "This type of crosswalk is very new," said George Small, assistant district engineer - traffic. A test crosswalk has been in operation in Hanover, Md., and there may be one other in Silver Springs, Md., Small said from his office in Cumberland, Md. Similar to the alarm systems in stores that alert personnel to customers who leave without paying, the crosswalk system consists of two poles, on either side of the street, that emit a signal when a pedestrian breaks the light beam.

One Franklin County, Pa., municipality will be getting flashing lights to protect pedestrians, while another continues to wait for state reimbursement years after installing a set of lights. The Borough of Waynesboro will soon buy materials needed to install sets of flashing lights at pedestrian crosswalks. The $87,900 project will place the lights at the intersections of Sunnyside Avenue and East Main Street, Fairview Avenue and West Main Street, South Potomac and Gay streets, and South Potomac and West Second streets.

WAYNESBORO, PA. - Waynesboro's new police chief can't explain why the town has had so many pedestrian accidents, but he can tell you what he wants to do about it. On Mark King's wish list are countdown timers for crosswalks, bumped-out sidewalks, a program to raise drivers' awareness and specially lighted crosswalks. While financial restraints ultimately will shorten that list, King has been willing to listen to any ideas to improve safety on borough streets. Borough leaders have met several times with representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and are awaiting the results from PennDOT's Local Technical Assistance Program study.