Politics & Government
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee Discusses Potential Crosswalk Grant
The $160K grant would include two new crosswalks, one at Croft Regis Road where two weeks ago a child on a bike was struck by a motorist near that intersection.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee met Thursday night to discuss a grant application that would improve crosswalks in Westwood.
The air quality grant, which amounts to about $160,000, would include two new crosswalks at Dean Street and Croft Regis Road. This conversation comes in the wake of an accident involving a child on a bicycle and a motorist two weeks ago near Croft Regis Road.
According to Planning Board Vice Chairman Steve Olanoff, the grant is federal money. The grant has been applied for and now needs to be approved by a committee and the Metropolitan Planning Organization, or MPO. Olanoff said that the money is there, and has been proposed, but the process has not been completed. He said that at this point it is on a list for fiscal years 2012 through 2013.
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Atkins explained that originally a grant of about $10,000 was proposed to put in a couple basic light setups. It would involve flashing light beacons to attract the eye of motorists to keep pedestrians safe. It would have a button for pedestrians and the lights are even solar powered. However, $10,000 was too small of a project so it must expand significantly to be considered. This led to the $160,000 proposal which Olanoff says will be decided sometime in August.
The two intersections are some of the busiest off of Washington Street and parents have been concerned about their kids walking to the Paul Hanlon School. Recently a 10-year-old boy was struck on his bike at the intersection of Gay Street and Croft Regis Road. It was dark, at about 8:30, and the situation appeared to be a complete accident. However, this shows the seriousness of the matter.
Find out what's happening in Westwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"If the town has $10,000 or so to put up some beacons, and we are potentially going to get $160,000 for a project, I think it's worth doing," said Atkins.
Additional detailed information is to come regarding the grant.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee have cancelled its August meeting and will meet again in September. For more information log onto www.townhall.westwood.ma.us
