Pols push safety with buttons
Elevator-style items to make intersections safer
COHOES >> Pedestrians who have to cross any of the four main intersections on Route 787 in the city will be able to cross the busy freeway a little bit easier now.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew Driscoll announced Thursday afternoon that eight new
“elevator” style buttons have been added to the pedestrian signals at the controversial intersection of Route 787 and Bridge Avenue. More of these new buttons will also be installed at three other intersections of Route 787 before Labor Day.
The elevator-style buttons — which light up when pressed — let pedestrians know that the signal is working and to wait for the walk symbol before crossing the street.
All of these safety changes to intersections come just about two months after Brittany Knight, 16, was killed in June as she tried to cross 787 at Bridge Avenue.
A total of 32 elevatorstyle buttons will be installed at four intersections, with Bridge Avenue being installed first already with eight new buttons at this intersection, and more will be installed at the intersections of Ontario Street, Route 32 and Dyke Avenue.
Just about a month ago, DOT also changed the signal timing at the four intersections to include an exclusive pedestrian phase. During this phase — which is triggered when the pedestrian signal button is pushed — all vehicular traffic is given a red signal while the walk signal is activated.
New York State DOT Regional Director Sam Zhou urged members of the community to be safe when driving and walking on Route 787 in Cohoes.
“We are urging motorist and pedestrians to obey all traffic rules and we urge the community to utilize these new pedestrian safety features,” said Zhou during a Thursday afternoon news conference at the intersection of Bridge Avenue.
These new pedestrian signal buttons are the latest in a series of safety initiatives from DOT, Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and State Department of Health to improve the safety on Route 787. The city has also been enhancing enforcement of pulling motorists over for traffic violations, along with handing out informational safety brochures and working with kids in the summer recreation program about crosswalk safety.
Mayor Shawn Morse said that over 400 tickets were given out to motorists since the city increased enforcement on Route 787 and thousands of safety brochures were handed out as well.
“I am very grateful for NYSDOT in expediting many of the safety initiatives that we discussed after the sad tragedy that occurred on June 16,” said Morse. “For the first time in history, we now have buttons that light up and traffic signals synchronized to turn red at the same time at every crosswalk along Route 787. This ensures the safety of our pedestrians as they cross the highway.”
Driscoll said that safety will continue to be a top priority along Route 787 in Cohoes.
“Safety is our top priority — especially for pedestrians, who are some of our most vulnerable road users and need to be able to safely cross the street while walking to and from school or work or activities,” said Driscoll. “We will continue partnering with the city of Cohoes and our State partners to enhance safety for pedestrians along Route 787.”
State Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Albany, has been working with the city to enhance safety features and to help find funding for any of it.
“Building upon these efforts, these new elevatorstyle buttons, which will be added to three more intersections, will let pedestrians know that the signal is in fact working,” said Breslin. “I look forward to working with state and local officials to continue to find ways to improve pedestrian safety along with corridor.”
Morse said that he will continue to fight for a longterm fix of making the stretch of Route 787 that runs through the city into a true Boulevard, which would include having a median down the middle and trees that would give it the aesthetics that you’re coming into a city and that would cost roughly $15 million.
“I will continue to work with NYSDOT representatives, Commissioner Driscoll, State and Federal officials in making 787 a true Boulevard,” said Morse.