Safety concerns raised over crosswalk near park

The failure of some drivers to stop for pedestrians at a busy crosswalk leading across 11th Avenue to Legion Park in Sidney is unsettling for a nearby homeowner.

Because of the crosswalk's proximity to South Elementary School and Legion Park, it is heavily used throughout the year, Steve Wilson said.

"I've lived at this house right next to crossing there for three years now, and I've seen cars skid around kids on bicycles," Wilson explained.

The crossing has flashing lights activated by buttons on both sides of the road, but for the past few weeks, the device has not been functioning properly. Only the lights on the east side are currently operating.

After he alerted the city about the need for repairs, Sidney Police Chief B.J. Wilkinson got in touch with Wilson.

"The chief of police came and checked it out," Wilson said.

John Hehnke, Sidney public services director, said the city is aware of the problem and replacement parts have been ordered.

"We've taken a look at it, and we do have a malfunction in one of the push buttons," he said. "We're getting the replacement parts to take care of that push button and then replace two lights that have burnt out as well."

Hehnke said repairs would be made as soon as the parts are received – likely within the next two weeks.

At all crosswalks, regardless if they have flashing lights or not, drivers are required to stop for pedestrians, City Manager Gary Person said.

"Unfortunately, that does not happen as often as it should," he added. "But it is part of the Nebraska regulatory law for traffic."

A complaint Person said he's heard over the years is a lack of police enforcement at crosswalks.

"But officers can't be everywhere," he said. "It comes down to citizens taking responsibility for their own actions and looking after pedestrians."

Wilson said even when the flashing lights at the 11th Avenue crosswalk are working properly, drivers don't always yield to pedestrians.

"It's been pretty bad since I moved there – it's just consistently people slamming on their brakes or going right past the kids when they're standing there," he explained. "I'm worried that all the kids that are coming and going to the park this summer – the traffic that comes down 11th Avenue is just nonstop – somebody is going to get hurt one of these days real bad."

Wilson suggested additional signs alerting drivers of the approaching crosswalk would be beneficial.

Hehnke said the city is evaluating signage in the area, but federal regulations limit where signs can be placed.

"You have to be careful the signage you do put up complies with that," he said. "And you have to consider over-signage; when you put up too many signs, people tend not to pay attention."

The effectiveness of road signs is also a consideration, he added.

"We already have the crosswalk signs, we have the sign that says to yield to pedestrians and we have the yellow flashing lights," Hehnke said. "Even with that, we still have people who drive through."

Hehnke explained that doesn't necessarily mean additional signage won't be erected.

"We're not ignoring any possibility," he said. "We're looking at anything we can to alert drivers to the crosswalk."

An alternative to crossing the street is a pedestrian path that goes underneath 11th Avenue into Legion Park, however, it rests at the bottom of a steep embankment and the nearest junction to the west is at 13th Avenue.

"They have a sidewalk under the bridge, but the problem is when kids get off the school bus right there by South Elementary or get out of school and come to the trail, if they want to go under the bridge, they either have to take their bicycles down that hill – with all the stickers and get flat tires – or they have to go clear back across 13th Avenue," Wilson said.

He urged motorists travelling along 11th Avenue near Legion Park to remain aware.

"When you're approaching that bridge, just assume that there's going to be a kid standing there, and be prepared to stop even if the light is not on," he said. "Don't just drive through because you don't see the lights and not even bother slowing down."

Person said part of the solution is educating the public.

"Whether pedestrians punch the light or not, [drivers] ought to adhere to a pedestrian crosswalk," he said.

Once the flashing lights are repaired, Hehnke said they'd likely be checked periodically by city staff to ensure they're functioning.

"We haven't had it on a maintenance schedule previously, but after this, it's one of those things we talked about," he said, "and probably every season or six months or something like that, just verifying that everything is working properly."

The devices have been there for at least six years, he added.

"And we haven't had any issues, but like with anything, it does tend to wear out over time," Hehnke said.