New traffic light aims to improve pedestrian safety in College Park
By Mike Murillo, WTOP
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Three college students were killed and several others injured this year while attempting to cross a dangerous section of U.S. Route 1 near the University of Maryland-College Park.
The pedestrian fatalities spurred calls for change from students, lawmakers and families of the victims.
On Thursday, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) officially completed a number of safety improvements with the launching of a pedestrian signal at Hartwick Road. The new light stops traffic in all directions when a pedestrian crosses the busy highway.
"SHA fast-tracked these projects because we wanted to ensure we can deliver them in the fall semester," said State Highway Administrator Melinda Peters.
In addition to the new signal, the speed limit has been lowered to 25 mph, speed cameras became active 24/7 and a median fence was erected to encourage pedestrians to use the crosswalks.
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[B' Spokes: This is much better than my last report on this area. Are they finally starting to get that you address all users of a road?
Let's force pedestrians to cross where they are getting killed for safety - Route 1 in College Park
<a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=2014071720391011">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=2014071720391011</a>; ]