Burlington, VT PLUS

I was inquiring on who would be best to contact in regards to getting a
crosswalk put in around South Willard St and Buell St. I am letter carrier that
delivers that intersection, and I have noticed that people are always
attempting to cross that intersection with me everyday. Cars fly by without
ever stopping, even in my postal outfit. That intersection is a main crossing
point for people going to the Howard House at 50 S. Willard, as well as the
Champlain College Hall next to that. And there is a walkway to South Williams
behind 34 S. Willard. Cars go by dangerously fast and I think it would be best
to address this issue before anyone gets hurt. Thank You.

A life/death danger to pedestrians is caused by two things:

1) The traffic light directing east and westbound traffic on Pearl Street/Colchester Avenue confuses pedestrians. This is because the traffic light turns red for eastbound traffic on Pearl Street a minute or two before the same traffic lights turn red for westbound traffic on Colchester Avenue. This confuses people standing at the SW and NW corner of Pearl and North Prospect Streets. They see the traffic light is red for westbound traffic and they assume it is also red for eastbound traffic; but in fact, westbound vehicles on Colchester Avenue still have a green light to drive straight through the intersection. People at the SW and NW corners of Pearl and North Prospect frequently enter the crosswalk prematurely because they see eastbound traffic has a red light. They assume westbound traffic also has a red light. Those who entered the crosswalk are at risk of getting hit by green lighted westbound vehicles - which are often out-of-sight until just before the car enters the intersection. Pedestrians crossing Pearl Street cannot see the on-coming westbound vehicles because the vehicles are hidden from view until after they crest a slope just west of the intersection.

It seems to me, that for safety reasons, it’s necessary is to have the east and westbound traffic along Pearl Street and Colchester Avenue both receive red light signals at the same time.

2). The other reason why pedestrian safety is severely compromised at this intersection is because there is no crosswalk button for pedestrians standing at the NW corner of Pearl and North Prospect Streets who want to cross Pearl Street in a southerly direction. At this NW corner, there is only a crosswalk button to use to cross North Prospect. That’s insufficient. I hope the reason for the delay in installing this previously requested crosswalk button is not related to the City’s plan to modify the traffic lanes on South Prospect. A crosswalk button is needed without delay for the safety of many people who walk across Pearl Street … from the intersection’s NW to SW corner. One cannot rely on people to be at the opposite corner (SW). Nor can one rely on people standing there to see and press their crosswalk button. As people gather at the NW corner waiting to cross Pearl Street, they end up jay-walking, or waiting for the traffic lights to change, or waiting for a person to arrive at the SW corner and hope they push the crosswalk button. Because I cross this intersection daily, I’ve seen near misses. I see how dangerous the current traffic light setting is and the lack of a crosswalk button (at that NW corner for people who want to cross Pearl to the SW corner) contributes to this danger.

Many students are not familiar with the unique traffic light settings at this intersection. New students arrive each year. They won’t know the danger of the westbound traffic. This makes it all the more important to: (1) have a crosswalk buttons for pedestrians who at the NW corner and want to cross Pearl street in a southerly direction …. and (2) fix the traffic light setting so westbound and eastbound vehicles receive red traffic light signals at the same time.

Please, can you install a pedestrian crossing button for people at the NW corner of the intersection of Pearl and North Prospect who want to cross Pearl Street?

how do people cross Pearl Street here? forcing pedestrians to go all the way down to the crosswalk at Willard or up to the crosswalk at prospect is way too far. we need a blinking crosswalk here.

Three safety improvements for pedestrian/family safety:
1. Add crosswalk to cross EAP to commonlly used trail entrance. No crosswalk or signage currently and cars rarely stop.
2. Improve pedestrian visibility at current cross walk from Ethan Allen Parkway to access playground section. Kids often use this and cars rarely stop, likely visibility issue.
3. Add crosswalk connecting walking path in playground area to other side of EAP next to Riteaid/Walgreens. Pedestrians often cross road here to access park after leaving shopping plaza.

In general, cars often travel 40+ mph on this stretch and visibility of pedestrians is poor. With some new paint and some other tools available, we can prevent an accident.

Please add a northbound bike lane to Pine Street between Queen city Park Road and Home Avenue, along with shared lane markings in the southbound lane. The current lane is 14 feet wide, which would accommodate a 4 foot wide bike lane. (Better yet, remove parking and re-stripe the whole street in a 5-10-10-5 configuration.)

When pulling out of the driveway of 74 South Willard st it cane be very dangerous. Due to the parking being on that side of the road, it blocks the view of drivers being able to see oncoming traffic when pulling out. BUT there is a tree across the street that would be a perfect location for a mirror to allow drivers coming out of the driveway to see on coming traffic.

Austin Drive at Red Rock Condos - There is concern for safety with the bike lane in the center of the road, as well as the lane lines that have been painted.

South Winooski at King st - There is a grave concern for pedestrians crossing at this intersection as the traffic tends to roll through and/or not stop at all at the stop signs. Please find a way to keep the increased pedestrian traffic safe.

Pearl Street at Union - Resident is frustrated and concerned with the travel lane changes that were done last year. It has left a bare minimum of space to pull in and out of her driveway due to cars being parked on either side of her driveway. She finds it quite hazardous.

2 items of concern at Hula site -

1. There is an immediate need for a stop sign for the cars coming out of the Hula parking area (behind the original Blodgett building). There is no stop sign there or on Central Ave. so cars can come out onto Lakeside for both directions . I've seen several almost-accidents when cars don't stop coming out of Hula.

2. Coming from the east, those first two parking spaces on Lakeside Ave. in front of Hula block the view of cars coming up the hill and should really be eliminated.

Thanks for your consideration.

Who is responsible for the large sign at the entrance to Resource and the CSWD site? I think it needs to be moved back away from the new multi-purpose path because it blocks your view of oncoming bikes or pedestrians as you look south from your car. A Stop or Yield sign, plus a painted Stop line on the pavement, should accompany the move. And maybe a Caution sign for path-goers, too, for there as well as other busy crossings such as at BCA and the Maltex parking lot where the buildings are close to the path.