TRAIL CROSSING … Pictured here is the Wabash Cannonball Trail crossing on North Shoop Avenue near Don’s Automotive. Due to the numerous safety issues, fatality, and near misses, a new Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon will be installed at this location. (PHOTO PROVIDED)
By: Jacob Kessler
The City of Wauseon is working with ODOT to install a new Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon at the Wabash Cannonball Trail crossing on North Shoop Avenue.
The project will result in a same traffic lighting system currently being used in Delta for one of their pedestrian crossings.
The hybrid beacon will activate when pedestrians are ready to cross the street. It will feature red lights that will flash and alert drivers that pedestrians are ready to cross.
Keith Torbet, the Director of Public Service for the City of Wauseon, explained that this project was spearheaded by Brittany Roof and now Fire Chief Phil Kessler from the Wauseon Fire Department.
Safety was a concern for those walking here and with numerous near misses and a fatality at this crossing, it was clear something needed to be done.
Help was enlisted from the Safe Communities Coalition which helped greatly with getting the project underway and put through.
The Ohio Department of Transportation is currently funding the project through use of safety funds. In addition to the beacon, slight changes will also be made to the sidewalk and curb ramps. The project is expected to begin construction around June of 2024.
Many issues that take place between vehicles and pedestrians at the crosswalk are due to the vehicles not giving pedestrians the right of way.
According to Wauseon’s Codified Ordinance 371.0 titled Right of Way in Crosswalk and Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.46, vehicles must stop when a pedestrian comes to cross.
“When traffic control signals are not in place, not in operation or are not clearly assigning the right of way, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield or if required by Section 313.09, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.”
Pedestrians however must also exercise caution when using the crosswalks. “No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.”
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com
