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Council asks DPW to review faded crosswalk at Merrick Road and Pawtucket Avenue, considers solar blinking markers
Summary
Council members raised safety concerns at a crosswalk near Merrick Road/Tuckett Avenue where vehicles negotiate a curve; they requested DPW to review repainting, signage and referral to the state traffic commission, and discussed low‑cost solar‑powered blinking markers as a possible interim step.
Council members and local residents raised crosswalk safety concerns at the intersection where Merrick Road meets Pawtucket Avenue (near Tuckett/Tuckahoe), saying the crosswalk paint and signage are faded and that vehicles negotiating a curve pose a hazard to pedestrians. Councilman Fogarty described neighbors’ reports of near‑misses and urged staff to prioritize visible, low‑cost countermeasures such as repainting, brighter signage and solar‑powered, blinking beacons.
Councilors noted Pawtucket Avenue is a state road and said they would ask the DPW director to submit a review request to the state traffic commission while also exploring municipal steps where permissible. Members referenced existing pilot installations elsewhere that use solar, motion‑sensing blinking markers to increase driver awareness without requiring wiring.
City staff present said they would examine the specific crosswalk locations identified by council members and coordinate with the DPW director and state officials as appropriate. No binding commitment of capital funds or immediate installation was made at the meeting; the item was recorded for staff follow up.
