WILKES-BARRE -- New crosswalks are being installed in one part of Wilkes-Barre with the intention of improving pedestrian safety.
Cars sometimes speed along River Street in Wilkes-Barre. With narrow lanes and no shoulder, coupled with lots of foot traffic on sidewalks, some pedestrians and drivers say the street could use improvements.
“It`s dangerous!” said Mary Alice Orent of Wilkes-Barre.
MaryAnn Schifano exercises every day at the River Common, the park right along River Street. Even though a sign is posted that warns people not to walk across Northampton Street, Schifano said she has to because, “there is nowhere else to get to this side from where that bridge is.”
But that should change by fall. PennDOT is spending almost $2 million to build 11 pedestrian crossings along River Street.
“They're going to be wide crosswalks and look like brick. So I think it's going to look really, really appealing,” said James May of PennDOT.
A crosswalk at the Luzerne County Courthouse is notoriously busy. Crossing guards used to help people get across it, but those positions were cut from the county's budget. Now that the improvements will be added here, people here in Wilkes-Barre are excited about the project.
“It's more safe for the pedestrians,” said Frank Lecara of Wilkes-Barre.
“I also think it will be aesthetically pleasing to have that brick here along the River Street corridor area,” said May.
The brick crosswalks aren't just improving the look of the crosswalks, but will help drivers be aware of them and crossing pedestrians, too.
In addition to the crosswalks, May said River Street will be paved and drainage will be improved.
Right now, construction is scheduled mostly at night and on the weekends. It's expected to be finished mid-October.