Dear supporters of the Braddock & Sanders crosswalk petition: The petition is 18 days old and so far we’ve received 836 signatures! The Post-Gazette covered it: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2016/12/05/Regent-Square-residents-seek-crosswalk-at-start-of-business-district/stories/201612050034 Thank you! The Edgewood and Swissvale borough councils are aware of the petition. Today I emailed them your collected comments on the crosswalk idea. It is encouraging that in the past several weeks they have started talking about conducting a traffic study of a crosswalk at Sanders. But they are conflicted about it; many councilmembers believe the petition misrepresents the situation. The councils may vote on whether to fund a traffic study at their next council meetings. There are two things you could do to help our effort: 1) Share this petition. Help us get to 1000 signatures. 2) Attend a borough council meeting. Edgewood’s next is tomorrow! Mon. 12/19 7:30pm, 2 Race St, 2nd floor. Swissvale’s next is Wed. 1/4 7pm, 7560 Roslyn St., 2nd floor. The Sanders crosswalk will be on the agenda. If you want to listen or to speak briefly and in a reasoned tone, feel welcome to attend. Comments from the floor are taken at the beginning of the meeting, so arrive on time. Thanks! -Paul -------- Representative comments on the petition “Add a crosswalk at Braddock & Sanders in Regent Square” Selected from the 335 comments to date. December 18, 2016. RE: INJURIES AND DEATHS Linda E Stiles, 15239 Drivers go to fast along Braddock. I know of three accidents-one fatal at almosexactly in that spot. Something needs to be done. A traffic light would be best, but this is a start. Gary Burdick, 15221 Traffic needs to be more aware of pedestrians. I have a friend who was hit by a car on Braddock Ave and has been recovering from it for MANY years. She was almost killed. Adam Dove, 15209 I'm signing because my parents live very near to this intersection and I have more than once seen them and other people I care about get nearly run over trying to cross. RE: OTHER CROSSWALKS: HUTCHINSON, CHARLESTON, BIDDLE Marian Edwards, 15218 Several of the businesses i use are near the corner of Sanders & Braddock. I happen to be a Senior Citizen. In times of extreme weather it is a chore to go to Hutcheson and then down the other side. I well know the benefits of walking, but there comes a time when it is difficult. It would also slow down speed in the business district. At one time walkers had the right of way but now it seems cars do. Marian Tim Madle, 15218 The borough's plan will do nothing to encourage responsible driving along this stretch, which is the real issue here. It is much safer to cross at Sanders, even without a crosswalk, than at the completely neglected crosswalk at Charleston. I fear for my safety every time I cross there, because of drivers going 20+ miles over the limit. Ron Sivillo, 15218 This needs to be a safe crossing zone. Crossing zone lights should be installed that prompt cars to stop when pedestrians need to cross, similar to what is in place at South Braddock and Biddle. RE: BUS STOP, BUSINESSES Joshua Catone, 15218 I used to work at the Square Cafe and know that busy intersection well. Anything that can be done to make that corner safer for people to cross (which they do, regardless of the stop light up at Hutchinson) is a good idea to me! Jennifer Morse, 15218 I'm signing because I walk out to Braddock regularly (to the port authority bus, with my young daughter to her school buss). Our lives would be better with a crosswalk crossing! Plus a crosswalk would make it more likely that we'd walk out even more often and support the local businesses, we'd be safer, and car traffic would slow down so everyone would be safer. RE: HELP PEDESTRIANS, REDUCE SPEEDING Sarah Wertheimer, 15221 This is a high traffic pedestrian and car area. Having a crosswalk will benefit both the pedestrians, the businesses, and the car drivers. I believe it will also help cars trying to exit Sanders onto Braddock if traffic slows down for the crosswalk. It will improve safety all the way around. Joshua Siebert, 15214 I am a frequent patron of the Regent Square business district, and I believe that it is speeding, careless drivers and a lack of traffic enforcement, not pedestrians, who are the problem. In dense business districts pedestrians should come first, period. Laina Aquiline, 15218 Prohibiting pedestrian crossing at S. Braddock and Sanders is impractical and untenable. Please accept and embrace the reality of this situation and create a safe blinking-light crosswalk option for our families - the residents and patrons of Regent Square. Regardless of the transportation studies, we live here, we pay the taxes, and we know what is needed. Please make it happen.