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Stamford Takes Big Steps, Installs Stanchions To Improve Crosswalk Safety

STAMFORD, Conn. -- As part of its drive to improve traffic safety, Stamford unveiled improvements to crosswalks, including the placement of stanchions at 12 crosswalks on Thursday.

It wasn't quite Abbey Road, but Mayor David Martin, along with Operations manager Ernie Orgera, Board of Representatives District 9 member Rodney Pratt and Public Safety Director Ted Jankowski walk in a crosswalk beside a new stanchion, at left.

It wasn't quite Abbey Road, but Mayor David Martin, along with Operations manager Ernie Orgera, Board of Representatives District 9 member Rodney Pratt and Public Safety Director Ted Jankowski walk in a crosswalk beside a new stanchion, at left.

Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern
Workers, city officials and media gather around a newly installed sign warning motorists of the crosswalk at Stillwater Avenue and Progress Drive. Mayor David Martin said the city is seeking to improve traffic safety in the city.

Workers, city officials and media gather around a newly installed sign warning motorists of the crosswalk at Stillwater Avenue and Progress Drive. Mayor David Martin said the city is seeking to improve traffic safety in the city.

Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern

The stanchions sit in the middle of the street and warn motorists to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.

"The city, I believe, needs to have done more in the past, but we are going to remedy that problem over time," Mayor David Martin said at the noontime press conference at the intersection of Stillwater Avenue and Progress Drive. 

"I am very proud that we are moving forward. Hopefully we are going to make the streets safer. Just these stanchions in the middle of the street are actually going to slow the traffic down in such a way that doesn't require other solutions."

Previously, there were six stanchions in the city, Martin said. He said the city will monitor their use to decide whether to expand the program in the future.

The city has been cracking down on traffic issues as part of the Stamford Street Smart Initiative that was launched in September, he said. However, he said the city has to strive to make up for lost time.

"I believe we have been failing to address our needs over a 20-year time frame. I don't think it is going to take 20 years to turn it around but none the less it is not something that is going to happen overnight."

Martin said he was surprised how few stanchions there were in a city the size of Stamford.

Board of Representative District 9 member Rodney Pratt, whose district includes the crosswalk at Stillwater Avenue and Progress Drive, welcomed the move.

"All their kids catch their bus here, and they have been struggling," he said. "Parents are worried about their children, and this is a step up, definitely a step up in the district."

Signs were also erected on ether side of the crosswalk to warn motorists to stop for pedestrians.

At the end of the event, and in a nod to the Beatles' "Abbey Road" album cover, Martin led Pratt, Director of Operations Ernie Orgera and Public Safety Director Ted Jankowski back and forth across the crosswalk.

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