By Daniel Walker
Commerce Journal
A pedestrian-activated flashing crosswalk warning system at Texas A&M; University-Commerce's Whitley Hall and another at the crosswalk with Highways 24/50 are expected to be ready by mid-September according to university officials.
The installation of the crosswalks is the result of several months of work by A&M-Commerce; officials, City of Commerce, and the Texas Department of Transportation following an incident earlier this year in which pedestrians were hit by a vehicle.
A&M-Commerce; is finalizing details with the city, TxDOT, and awaiting TxDOT approval, the university’s Executive Director of Facilities, David McKenna said.
A&M-Commerce; officials have been concerned about safety at the crosswalks. "I am very pleased that the university will be making this important improvement to the pedestrian crosswalks on Highway 50 and Culver Street," A&M-Commerce; President Dan Jones said.
"The safety and security of our students are paramount concerns, and these warning systems will provide an additional margin of protection for everyone who crosses these roadways," Jones said.
The A&M-Commerce; Department of Risk Management has been holding crosswalk training sessions during summer orientation, according to McKenna. Drivers and students have been noticing the rumble strips installed on Culver Street across from Whitley Hall earlier this summer that are intended to warn drivers to slow down and that pedestrians have the right of way in the crosswalk, he said.
