Traffic advisory board presses town to pursue lighting at South Parkway and Broadway after fatal crash and DOT decline

Jack Burns, a member of the Grand Island Traffic Safety Advisory Board, led members in reviving a recommendation for additional street lighting on the east side of South Parkway at Broadway after discussing a recent fatal crash and related safety concerns.

The board discussed earlier outreach to the New York State Department of Transportation, which, according to meeting remarks, previously “did not recommend lighting.” Board members said that left a role for the town to consider adding a luminaire. Frank DeGeorge, a board member, said he “just felt strongly about a light there,” describing evening visibility issues at the intersection and recounting seeing a young person at dusk in a nearby park that left him concerned for pedestrian safety.

Members also discussed town records showing the town had been billed for a light that is not currently present and said town engineering had at least considered additional luminaires. The board agreed to refine wording and route a resolution asking the Town of Grand Island to request that the town highway department install an additional streetlight at the east side of South Parkway at Broadway. Jose (last name not specified in the transcript), who the board identified as the liaison to the town board, said he would bring the draft resolution to the town board agenda for consideration.

Why it matters: board members tied the lighting request to pedestrian safety and to a recent fatal crash at or near the intersection. At the meeting members also reviewed local press reporting that the DOT was studying multiple improvements and expected to pursue changes by mid‑summer; board members said they wanted the town to act if the state declined installation of a luminaire.

What happens next: the board asked that a liaison/representative draft or carry a resolution to the Town Board requesting the highway department place a luminaire on the east side of South Parkway at Broadway so the Town Board can approve or disapprove the installation. The town engineering department and, potentially, the county or DOT will be asked for technical input as part of any town board consideration.

Ending: Board members said they would circulate the drafted resolution to the board and to the town clerk for formal submission and public record prior to the town board meeting.