New Street Crossings

You may have noticed some new crosswalks around town lately. These are all part of the Town’s commitment to safer walking routes.

The most obvious ones are on Guard Street at the intersection with Marguerite, and on Spring Street at the intersection of Mullis Street – these 2 new crosswalks include lighted signs that blink a warning to drivers, alerting them that people are crossing the street. Pedestrians can simply push the button on the signpost before they cross.

New Guard Street crosswalk with lighted signage – Tim Dustrude photo

There is also a new 2-part crosswalk on Spring Street at Lampard Road, up by the water tank. This one is not 100% finished yet, but it crosses Spring Street to a “relief island” and then continues across Lampard. It will have crosswalk stripes on the roadway when completed within the next couple of weeks.

The intersection of Lampard and Spring Streets, up near the water tank – Tim Dustrude photo

“The Town Council and the Town Administrator have worked hard over the years to secure funding to improve the walkability of our Town. This not only improves pedestrian safety but enhances our unique quality of life” said Mayor Carrie Lacher.

In addition to the crosswalks, some improvements to sidewalks are in the works too. The Town has just received a $190,000 sidewalk grant to finish the sidewalks on Park Street just past the Football field.

Town Administrator Duncan Wilson adds, “The Park Street TIB grant is to complete the sidewalk in the gap just west of the football field and will connect to the existing sidewalk up near the church. The monies will also fund the asphalt in the area which is now gravel and connection of the storm sewer system. In addition, a portion of the monies will go to complete the sidewalk section on Reed Street, across the street from Public Health between Printonyx and the County Complex.”

Mayor Lacher also noted that “We are looking forward to beginning the improvements, including sidewalks, on Tucker Avenue in the very near future. Renderings of these improvements can be seen at Town Hall and at the San Juan Island Library.”

Work will start in two months on the Tucker Avenue reconstruction which will bring sidewalks to both sides of the street. Phase two next year will take the sidewalks all the way out to the edge of town by the manufactured home park.

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