River Street Crosswalk Committee taking steps for safety
From our weekly issue dated December 3, 2008
Pedestrian safety at Hwy. 199 and River Street in the city of Cave Junction is the primary goal of the River Street Crosswalk Committee. An informal meeting was held Monday night, Nov. 24 at the Josephine County Bldg. in Cave Junction. It was attended by Patty & Steve Schalk, Linda Tedder, John Woodward and Michael Melilli.
The group discussed the danger of trucks and cars driving through the city at high speed, and how to make them slow and stop for people using the River Street crosswalk, especially children.
The committee is determined to make sure students can safely cross the highway walking to or from one of several schools in the vicinity. The schools are Evergreen Elementary, Community Christian Academy and Lorna Byrne Middle School.
Patty Schalk is spearheading the effort and has contacted ODOT, the city of Cave Junction and Three Rivers School District concerning adding school zone signs, and carrying handheld stop signs. Also, installing traffic signals, using crosswalk guards and implementing other measures.
So far, a marked crosswalk, flashing yellow crossing sign and use of crosswalk guards are the only means ODOT permits. Schalk said ODOT advised that handheld stop signs cannot be used.
She also asked that ODOT not widen 199 for a left-turn lane at River. She told ODOT that traffic signals would be a far better use of money for what she called a crucial safety issue. ODOT is considering it.
Schalk plans to talk to Mayor Tony Paulson about additional crosswalk safety measures. The committee will continue to work toward safety and enlist more volunteers.
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A volunteer pool of approximately 20 is needed. Two to three guards would guide children across the highway each morning and afternoon on school days. State-required training for crosswalk guards involves watching a short DVD and reading a small manual.
Guards must wear a neon yellow vest and hat and carry a flag. Tedder is serving as a crosswalk guard where River crosses busy 199. Woodward and Melilli also volunteered.
“More volunteers are needed, so pass the word,” said Tedder. Phone Patty Schalk at 592-2491 for more information.
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