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Mayor Responds to "Dangerous" Intersection

Mayor Responds to "Dangerous" Intersection - Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 5:55PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Wednesday, Sep 9, 2009 @ 05:55pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- Mayor Tom Leighton doesn't think the intersection at Coal and Sherman Streets is dangerous. He admits it's a high-traffic road and people need to go the speed limit of 25 m. p.h. Mayor Leighton doesn't think children walking to school are in danger, but the former crossing guard, Ed Martin, disagrees.

Martin still worries about people's safety when crossing the street. He says the two crosswalks painted last week aren't enough.

"They didn't put them where we asked them to be," said Martin. "There should be another line for the cars to stop."

The city painted the lines one day after Eyewitness News exclusively reported parents were upset. Mayor Leighton says the school district gives the city a list of crosswalks to paint each summer. He's not sure why this one wasn't painted before classes started.

"I think we got it back in the beginning of August or end of July, but we do have other jobs that need to be done, so i can't answer why it wasn't done," said Mayor Leighton. "Everybody needs to work together on this. Drivers need to slow down, and pedestrians need to cross only in the crosswalk and when the light signals that it's okay to do so."

Martin was hit at the intersection in January. He wanted the speed limit lowered to 15 m. p.h. in both directions, but the city says it's not needed. A proposed project could expand Coal Street from two lanes to five. There'd be more traffic but also more safety precautions, including crosswalks and a new signal plan with extended red lights to give more people time to cross the street.

Wilkes-Barre City Council is voting on that proposal Thursday at 6:00pm.
 


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