NORWICH – The City of Norwich is attempting to make a safer environment for pedestrians walking along Broad Street and other busy intersections. At a recent meeting of the City of Norwich Common Council, aldermen discussed the possibility of adding additional pedestrian crossing signs to Broad Street.
“I’ve been approached two or three different times about why there aren’t more pedestrian signs on the crosswalks,” said Fourth Ward Alderman Walt Schermerhorn, referring to the pedestrian crossing sign on Broad Street, in the middle of downtown Norwich.
Police Chief Joseph Angelino explained that crosswalk is the only one in town that doesn’t correspond with an intersection. “It startles people from out of town,” he said. Angelino explained that initially the sign was placed at that location to replace the patrolman who normally directed traffic there.
Schermerhorn pointed out that many times, drivers are traveling quickly and not aware of pedestrians at the edges of downtown, especially near the crosswalks located near the NBT Bank. He recounted near-accidents he had witnessed at the location.
“We have to figure out a way to make people have caution before you get to the center of town,” said Mayor Joseph Maiurano.
Angelino said he worried the signs would give pedestrians a false sense of security.
In previous years, New York State has dissuaded municipalities from putting up similar signs on sections of state Route 12, but Angelino said recently he has seen several towns and villages with similar signs and no one has said anything.
The matter will be passed along to the Traffic Commission to determine the best way to arrange the signs.
“If you want more, we’ll get more,” Angelino told the council. With the approval of the Traffic Commission, he plans to order two to three more.