Description

I'm writing to request crosswalk flashers (are these the RRFBs?) at the intersection of St. Paul and S. Union streets in Burlington.

Since I live just feet from this intersection, I have a front-row seat on what goes on at this crosswalk. I can tell you that it's just a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

I have seen so many near-misses when people are crossing the street. Once when a woman was crossing with her dog, a car heading north zoomed through the crosswalk even as the southbound traffic had stopped to let her go. Nonetheless, the car nearly hit her, swerved, then the driver cursed at her before driving off. I can only guess that the driver didn't even think it was a crosswalk.

Drivers coming off Shelburne Road do not expect to encounter a crosswalk. Often they are driving way above the speed limit, and the bend in the road does not prepare them for the upcoming crosswalk. I myself have almost been hit multiple times--it's terrifying. At night even more so. And even when one car stops, I wait for the ones behind them to do so because I fear that a collision will push the stopped car into the crosswalk.

I live close, and often hear brakes screeching to a halt so as not to smash into the stopped car in front of them or hit a pedestrian in the road.

Also, my son, and many other kids, use this crosswalk multiple times a day to go to and from school. I consider it the most dangerous part of my son's day. Often he has to stand there for long periods of time to wait for cars to stop. I've had to emphasize to him that he must wait for BOTH SIDES to stop; I've watched him nearly get hit because one side stopped while the other side did not.

I believe it's just a matter of time until someone gets seriously injured at this intersection.

I would like to request that flashers be installed here. This would make this intersection safer for drivers and pedestrians alike in Burlington.

I know I'm not the first one to request this--and I hope that speaks to the need for action.

I look forward to hearing from you, and hope you have a great day.