Franklin County Legislature urges state to re‑install caution lights at Dickinson intersection after two fatal crashes

The Franklin County Legislature unanimously passed Resolution No. 343 on Dec. 5 urging New York State to re‑install caution lights at the intersection of State Route 11B and County Route 5 in the town of Dickinson after two fatal crashes in fewer than four years and several recent nonfatal collisions. The resolution says the traffic caution light had been in place for roughly 50 years and was removed during Route 11B reconstruction in 2013; the county record links the removal to an increase in crash severity at the intersection.

The resolution, offered by Legislators Dabiew, Lauzon, Janisewski, Dumas, Sherwin, Maroun and Ellis, notes the town’s concern that State plans to detour traffic through the intersection during a planned reconstruction of U.S. Route 11 will increase safety risks. Legislator Paul Lauzon moved the resolution and Legislator Melinda Ellis seconded; the motion passed with all members present voting in the affirmative.

The Legislature directed the Clerk of the Franklin County Legislature to transmit copies of the resolution to the New York State Department of Transportation and to the Franklin County Traffic Safety Board, urging immediate attention. The request asks state officials to consider re‑installing caution lights as a near‑term safety measure ahead of detour and reconstruction work.

The resolution text in the minutes recounts that the first fatal crash after the light’s removal occurred roughly a year after 2013 and that a second fatal crash occurred a year ago, and it states at least six nonfatal accidents at the intersection in the current year. The Legislature’s action is a formal appeal to state traffic authorities; the minutes do not record any public comment from state officials responding to the request.