Guilford Green Crosswalks Get New Striping
Resident Carolyn Cooper of Fair Street expressed her dismay recently to the selectmen regarding the new crosswalks surrounding the Guilford Green, saying that some motorists felt they "were not a crosswalk worth stopping at" and have nearly mowed her down on occasion.
"The pavers look like asphalt and lack the white paint that was there," she said. "I hope when you consider and decide about the striping, it will include conspicuous paint on all crosswalks."
Cooper will soon get her wish, as the town reviewed both state- and town-maintained crosswalks at a recent meeting.
State crosswalks include the new ones surrounding the Guilford Green, said Department of Public Works Director John Volpe.
He recently asked that the Board of Selectmen (BOS) approve a bid from Atlantic Pavement Marking, Inc., of Prospect for $21,466 for traffic line painting and pavement markings for town roads. The cost breakdown is $289.99 per mile for a double yellow line and $174.99 per mile for a single yellow line.
The price for this year was held at '09-'10 fiscal year pricing, noted Volpe. The bid was approved by the selectmen with the stipulation that it be approved by the Public Works Commission at its next meeting.
Town Engineer James Portley said that in the future, the state crosswalks around the Green will also be marked. The project is not yet completely finished, he said, but when it is, he will meet with contractor Clover Construction of Bristol and representatives from the Department of Transportation to discuss the striping.
Funding for the Guilford Green crosswalk project came from a $225,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration Scenic Byways Grant Program. As part of the grant, there was $35,000 worth of in-kind services provided by the town. The project involved laying Belgian block in a herringbone pattern at the Green's crosswalks to provide further traffic-calming techniques to a busy pedestrian area.
Motorists are reminded that when a pedestrian approaches or stands at the entrance to a crosswalk, drivers must stop their vehicles to allow the person to cross the road.