Every day, students, residents, and visitors cross Williams Street near the N12 parking lot — often dodging fast-moving cars. The closest crosswalks are at opposite ends of Williams Street, roughly 500 steps — or 5 minutes — apart. Anyone crossing in between has no safe option and is forced to jaywalk across two lanes of traffic. The problem is made even worse by a sharp turn that limits visibility, making it difficult for both pedestrians and drivers to see each other in time.

Without a crosswalk, close calls happen daily. Many drivers don’t expect pedestrians to cross in this section, and one small mistake could lead to a serious accident. Installing a crosswalk would make Williams Street safer for everyone — walkers, cyclists, and drivers alike.

Now is the time to act. With more students and community members walking and biking to campus every day, we need safer and more accessible crossings on Williams Street. Adding a crosswalk near the N12 parking lot is a simple, low-cost improvement that can prevent accidents and protect lives.