New Crosswalk a Boon for Pedestrians, Cyclists, Motorists

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26036.pdf

The newly completed crosswalk at the intersection of Bald Eagle Drive and Barfield Drive is a positive addition for the island’s pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. In addition to the crosswalk itself, the City of Marco Island added two new stop signs and two pedestrian crossing signs. The crosswalk is part of the North Barfield Pathway shared-use path project (Bald Eagle to Collier Boulevard).

Crosswalks provide pedestrians and cyclists safe passage across busy streets and intersections. In addition to guiding pedestrians and cyclists across the road, crosswalks communicate crossings to motorists.

The traditional parallel line crosswalk is used on the new crosswalk, though I would prefer to see a high-visibility crosswalk with a ladder design. Flashing beacons on either side of Bald Eagle are active warning devices used to alert motorists of crossing pedestrians and cyclists. The flashers, actuated by pedestrians and cyclists prior to crossing, are proven to markedly increase motorist yielding - up to 80 percent in some studies. 

The heart of the North Barfield Pathway project is the mile-long shared-use path along Barfield from Collier Boulevard to Bald Eagle. Completion of the project whittles down the remaining projects in the City’s comprehensive bicycling master plan to just four projects.