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Clemson officials defend mid‑block crosswalk on College Avenue, outline changes after two pole hits
Summary
City staff and the mayor said the mid‑block crosswalk on College Avenue was installed after engineering review and described immediate and planned changes after two poles were struck; staff said developers will fund later signal upgrades and that replacement poles cost about $7,000 each.
Clemson city leaders and staff on Feb. 3 responded to resident concerns about a new mid‑block crosswalk on College Avenue in front of Papa John’s, saying the crossing followed federal and state guidance and describing immediate fixes and a planned signal upgrade to improve visibility and pedestrian safety.
City staff said the crosswalk location was recommended by the city engineer and an outside traffic engineer after reviewing crash and near‑miss reports. Staff described the work as a phased effort: phase 1 installed a concrete island and rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs); phase 2 will replace those beacons with a pedestrian hybrid beacon mounted on a mast arm. Staff said the developer of the nearby “hub” project will pay for the phase‑2 signal installation.
Why it matters: the crossing is downtown, near new and planned developments and heavy traffic; staff reported about 17,000 vehicles per day on College Avenue (a 15‑day snapshot counted approximately 253,000 vehicle passes) and said the installation was intended to reduce crosswalk conflicts at an existing informal crossing point.
City staff told council that two of the temporary RRFB poles were struck in a three‑week period after installation. The city said each pole replacement is handled through the responsible driver’s insurance and that the cost to replace a pole is about $7,000. Staff also said they had received three resident complaints about the crosswalk since installation.
City actions and near‑term changes include: repainting parking‑lot circulation arrows at the Papa John’s curb cut so drivers rejoin Kiwi Trail before College Avenue; painting the concrete island yellow; seeking black, non‑reflective poles that contrast with the pavement; wrapping poles with reflective tape near the bottom; and adding reflectors on the median. Staff said the phase‑2 pedestrian hybrid beacon would be a more visible, signal‑style warning system and is the planned permanent treatment.
Staff explained the decision drew on guidance from the Federal Highway Administration, the South Carolina Department of Transportation and standards from the National Association of City Transportation Officials. The council discussion noted that road‑geometry and SCDOT rules constrain some local fixes (for example, changing posted speeds or curb geometry often requires SCDOT approval).
An online commenter whose message was read at the meeting urged quicker action, writing, “Are we gonna wait until the third time the pedestrian gets run over? God forbid,” a comment city staff identified as submitted from a College Avenue resident. The mayor and staff repeatedly framed the issue as one they would continue to monitor, saying safety would be reevaluated if further incidents occur.
City staff also said the initial installation was paid for by the Moda Clemson developer and emphasized the city’s goal to have developers fund changes tied to their projects. Staff noted that the RRFBs were intended as a phased interim measure and that the more visible pedestrian hybrid beacon is the final planned device.
The council did not take a formal vote specifically on the crosswalk at the Feb. 3 meeting; staff described design decisions, mitigation steps and a continued monitoring plan and invited further public feedback.
Ending: Staff said they would continue to collect data and reassess the location and equipment as development proceeds downtown and as more pedestrian infrastructure (including sidewalks along Kiwi Trail) is completed.
