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Committee backs marked midblock crosswalk with flashing beacon at West and Pearl Street

Keene Municipal Services, Facilities & Infrastructure Committee · December 30, 2024
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Summary

After residents described frequent pedestrian crossings and safety risks, Public Works recommended an engineered midblock crossing with a Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RFB). The committee voted unanimously to authorize the City Manager to install a marked crosswalk and RFB; Public Works estimated installation at about $7,500 using harvested parts and city forces.

The committee voted unanimously to recommend that the City Manager install a marked crosswalk and pedestrian‑activated Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RFB) at West Street and Pearl Street.

Resident Heather Atwell and neighbors described daily pedestrian crossings between the West Street hotel and retail destinations and said the four‑lane crossing is long and intimidating for pedestrians, including shoppers with strollers and people with limited mobility. Public Works reviewed MUTCD criteria and reported traffic volumes on the Ashuelot River bridge corridor of roughly 19,000 vehicles per day (2023 DOT counts), noting that MUTCD calls for conspicuity enhancements where multi‑lane roads lack medians and have high ADT.

Public Works recommended a raised, marked midblock crosswalk upgraded with an RFB system. Staff said they could install the beacon system with city forces and that the price for the beacon would be about $7,500 in this instance because some spare parts were available from prior installations. Councilors asked about stopping behavior, pedestrian timing and whether a full pedestrian hybrid beacon or signal would be more appropriate; staff said hybrid beacons are more expensive and may require state DOT review if the work is within state review limits.

Councilor moved to recommend authorizing the City Manager to install the crosswalk and RFB system; the committee seconded the motion and voted unanimously.