David Epstein with the Alaska Department of Transportation holds up a reflective flag that he says pedestrians could carry when they cross the street. (KRBD file photo by Leila Kheiry)
Proposals to improve safety at three crosswalks are in front of the Ketchikan City Council on Thursday.
City officials met with Alaska Department of Transportation representatives last week to discuss that topic. A public meeting followed, where residents provided additional input.
The DOT representatives said they’d work to get funding for some safety improvements, but that will take time. The city can move faster if the council is willing to provide funds.
In a memo to the council, Public Works Director Mark Hilson says the three crosswalks in question are the crossing from the shipyard to A&P, a crosswalk on Tongass Avenue near the hospital, and the Deermount-Stedman crosswalk, where a man was struck and killed in December.
Some of the proposed improvements are flashing crosswalk signs, electronic speed-warning signs, a reduced speed limit on Stedman near Deermount, and improved lighting. DOT officials also suggested reflective flags that pedestrians could carry as they crossed the street as an immediate improvement while other projects are in the works.
Hilson writes that flashing pedestrian-crossing signs would cost about $10,000 each, and radar-speed signs would cost about $9,000 each. Moving the hospital crosswalk also was proposed, and that would cost about $20,000.
Also Thursday, the council will consider renting additional space at The Plaza for KPU’s use. The extra space would cost an additional $1,000 a month.
The Ketchikan City Council meeting starts at 7 p.m. in council chambers. Public comment will be heard at the start of the meeting.
