Yeah, the crosswalk’s nice, but pedestrians are still risking their lives trying to walk across Howe Avenue at its intersection with Myrtle Street.
Just ask Joseph Nowaczyk. The Shelton resident attends Trinity Lutheran Church at the intersection of Howe and Myrtle. He crosses the intersection to enter the church from his nearby home.
“It is state law to stop for pedestrians. [When I go to church] People actually swerve around me,” Nowaczyk said of the traffic. “I’ve been there 20 years. I’ve seen it all.”
City Aldermen and the police are department are trying to figure out a way to make the intersection safer for pedestrians.
Alderman Eric McPherson brought the issue to the attention of the Public Health and Safety Commission Wednesday night in City Hall.
McPherson wondered if installing a “stop for pedestrians” sign on the road would help.
Speeders are the heart of the problem. McPherson also suggested using speed-monitoring equipment in the area.
Police regularly issue tickets on Howe, officials said.
Alderman John Papa said police have issued 275 violations in the last three months.
The violations included driving while using a cell phone, not wearing a seat belt and driving without a registration.
“The police department is doing the best they can, it’s just that the people are driving too fast,” Papa said.
Police Chief Joel Hurliman said police will take a look at the intersection and report back to the Aldermen.
Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the commission denied a request from the Hillside Estate Condo Association for a mirror to be installed on a sharp curve on Hillside Avenue.
Instead, the city will investigate installing a sign, warning motorists of the bad turn. The signs have to be approved by the state traffic commission. Any signs placed on Route 110 would need to be approved by the state traffic commission, but signs placed on Hillside Avenue would only need the approval of the city’s traffic authority.
