Unionville school directors take aim at pedestrian safety

EAST MARLBOROUGH » Unionville-Chadds Ford School District directors this week voted unanimously on a project that will dramatically improve pedestrian safety along Route 82 in front of both Unionville High School and C.F. Patton Middle School.

The district is partnering with East Marlborough Township on the $1 million contract. The district would be responsible for $90,000, but if the Longwood Foundation joins, $60,000. The remaining funding would be provided for by grants, said Bob

Cochran, the district’s business manager.

“Somebody will get hurt, you are putting pedestrians in harm’s way,” said one parent of a student at the Fox Lee Development across the street from the high school. “It’s just not safe to cross (Route 82) after the crossing guards leave. One time it took me 27 minutes to cross the street.”

The speed limit along Route 82 near the two schools is 45 mph, but Vic Dupuis, board president, said the project does not call for a reduction in the speed limit. East Marlborough has already petitioned PennDOT for a speed limit reduction, but got declined.

Randy Waltermyer, of TPD Transportation Planning Design, told the board the project could cause PennDOT to reconsider a speed limit reduction.

There are two pedestrian crossing lanes on Route 82 by each school and are 62 feet wide crossing five traffic lanes, including a median.

“As a planner, our goal is to expose (pedestrians) to the road in a narrow a width as possible,” Waltermyer said.

The project would eliminate right turn lanes on southbound Route 82 near the middle school and the high school, and would shorten the pedestrian crossing distance from 62 feet to 49 feet, providing pedestrians an average of seven seconds less time to cross. Pedestrian refuge islands and 1,200 linear feet of sidewalks, up to the traffic roundabout at Doe Run Road will be installed. Existing sidewalks will be improved.

The project also includes a proposal for a rapid flashing beacon which essentially will give crossing guard protection 24 hours a day. A median refuge area is also in the plans. Waltermyer said studies have shown that these beacons reduce accidents by between 40 to 70 percent.

Brick textured paving on the road as it approaches the school area is also proposed, which would help to slow motorists down, Waltermyer said.

“I have been in the community a very long time,” said Elsie Anderson, school director. “I know safety is one of our core values and I support this initiative.”

Buzz Hannum, chairman of East Marlborough supervisors, said he is proud of the collaboration on the project with the school district in the name of safety.

If approved, the work will begin sometime in 2020.

FRAN MAYE – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA This crosswalk in front of Unionville High School will be improved and sidewalks installed after school directors voted to move forward with the safety project.