Crews Install Flashing Signs At Vernon Trail Crossings

VERNON, CT — Crews with Vernon Public Works began installing flashing signals last week at several walking trails along the Vernon Rails to Trails system. Town officials said the goal is to improve pedestrian safety and force vehicles to slow down.

Work crews installed the first flashing signals on Center Road on Friday, the town confirmed on its official Facebook page.

The flashing signals will also be installed where the trails cross West Street, Hartford Turnpike and at Dobson Road and Birch Street and at Phoenix Street and Warren Avenue. Town officials said most will be installed this week.

The signs are battery-powered and have a solar panel to recharge the batteries. People using the trail would activate the crossing lights by pressing a button, which causes yellow LEDs to flash as a warning to oncoming drivers that a pedestrian is using the crosswalk.

It was former Police Chief James Kenny ask that the lights be installed. Mayor Dan Champagne and Town Administrator Michael Purcaro approved the request and forwarded it to the town council, which authorized the funds to pay for the signs.

"The data shows that, with the volume of cars we have in these areas and the speed at which they are traveling, installing these crosswalk improvements is warranted," Purcaro said late last year.

Town officials said they are still waiting for state permits to install lights on Hartford Turnpike, which is a state road.

The estimated cost of a set of lights for each location is $9,070.

SEE ALSO:

• Flashing Signs To Be Placed At 5 Rail Trail Crossings In Vernon