By Tim O’Meilia
Crosswalks and pedestrian signals will be installed at A1A and Woolbright Road despite the objection of neighborhood residents and the Ocean Ridge Town Commission.
Five days after commissioners voted 3-1 to oppose the state-funded project, the Florida Department of Transportation notified the town by letter May 7 that the work would begin May 28, the day after Memorial Day.
The letter cited safety concerns because of increased pedestrian traffic at the intersection which leads to a beach access point.
“The intersection has experienced three pedestrian-related crashes since 2009, more than any other signalized intersection on A1A between Atlantic Avenue and Lake Avenue,” the letter said.
The $44,500 project was scheduled to begin April 22 but state road officials agreed to postpone the work until the town held a special meeting May 2.
More than 20 nearby residents argued that the crosswalk would disrupt their neighborhood, attract more visitors and pose more danger to pedestrians than leaving it unmarked.
DOT assistant traffic operations engineer, Jonathan Overton, said the DOT has no plans to pursue the installation of sidewalks along Beachway Drive because it is not in its jurisdiction.
In 2011 the town commission urged the DOT to consider installing crosswalks at the intersection because of safety concerns. That request led to the project.
Crosswalks and pedestrian signals will be installed on the north, east and south sides of the intersection. The west side already has a signal. The signals include a countdown clock for pedestrians.
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