I am writing to address a common misconception that has repeatedly stalled progress on much-needed pedestrian safety measures in our community: the notion that crosswalks require sidewalks on both sides of the road. This claim is not only incorrect but also detrimental to the safety and convenience of our residents.
In Palm Beach County, there are scenarios where the installation of crosswalks is a no-brainer.
There are several instances where the same community facility, like a pool or beach access, is split across the street. Residents, especially the elderly or those with mobility issues, must cross to utilize these common amenities. The argument that these crosswalks cannot be installed due to the absence of sidewalks on both sides is not supported by engineering guidelines or local codes.
Another common situation is where parking lots are located directly across from community facilities. Here, crosswalks are essential for safe pedestrian access from parking to the facility, yet these projects are often tabled with the same unfounded objection.
Let’s look at the facts:
• ADA Accessibility Guidelines (Section 4.2.4) clarify that crosswalks should connect to accessible routes, not necessarily sidewalks. If there’s no sidewalk on one side, a crosswalk can still connect to a path or another form of pedestrian access leading to a facility.
• The Florida Department of Transportation’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (Section 3B.18) emphasizes the installation of crosswalks where pedestrian safety would benefit, without mandating sidewalks on both sides.
• Our local Unified Land Development Code under Article 6, does not require sidewalks on both sides for crosswalk installation, but stresses providing safe, convenient and direct pedestrian access.
These guidelines show that the decision to install crosswalks should be based on engineering judgment, focusing on pedestrian safety and access needs rather than a strict interpretation of sidewalk presence.
Our community deserves to have its pedestrian safety prioritized, especially in clear-cut cases where crosswalks are evidently necessary. I urge the local authorities to reconsider their stance on crosswalk installations and look at each case on its merit, ensuring that safety and accessibility are at the forefront of our community’s planning decisions.
Rafael Pineiro
Palmsea Condominium
South Palm Beach
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