Pedestrian crossings face scrutiny

Brown Deer - How safe is it to cross the North 60th Street in the crosswalks at Tower and Fairlane avenues? Well, judging by two recent vehicular-pedestrian accidents, pedestrian safety needs to be enhanced.

The Village Board discussed the issue at its meeting Monday, a prelude to a second discussion tonight at the Traffic and Public Safety Committee meeting.

With the village schools on the west side of 60th Street, there are many children in those crosswalks - and, in fact, it was two children who were struck in the recent accidents.

The school district, Police Department and Andrew Bergholz, the executive vice president of sales t TAPCO, Traffic & Parking Control Co., are working together on a solution.

Additional signage in the area is a likely solution.

Bergholz outlined several types of signs that use wireless controls and solar power and have proven to reduce accidents in other areas. A combination of a rectangular rapid-flash beacon signs and blinker signs would improve the situation, he said. The cost would be $21,300.

Police Chief Steven Rinzel suggested that eliminating the crosswalk at Fairlane might help.

"Tower always made sense to me, but Fairlane never did, and I never have really gotten an explanation for it," Rinzel said.

Both sidewalks were in place when he came to the village as chief.

Trustee Jeff Baker noted that, in addition to those who cross in the crosswalks, there are many who cross elsewhere on the street, compounding the dangerous situation.

North 60th Street narrows as it goes north from Bradley Road, which also contributes to the problem.

"It's like a race coming off Bradley Road going north in the morning," Baker said.

Next Step

WHAT: discussion of crosswalk signs on 60th Street by Traffic and Public Safety Committee

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9

WHERE: Village Hall, 4800 W. Green Brook Drive