Welcome To 'Pedestrian Island,' West Hartford's Safety Oasis

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — What is a "pedestrian refuge island"?

Well, it's not a cheesy, late-1970s television show featuring a short man pointing out the arrival of an airplane to a lush, tropical landscape.

But while it isn't a tropical oasis where fantasies can live out, it is a safe oasis where a pedestrian can buy some time while crossing the street — and not get hit.

The Town of West Hartford recently installed a quick-build pedestrian refuge island on Sedgwick Road at Wardwell Road.

A pedestrian refuge island is a median island installed at a crosswalk.

"Pedestrian refuge islands give people crossing the road a safe place to pause while crossing multi-lane streets," wrote the town in a recent announcement.

Instead of crossing the entire road at once, pedestrians can focus on one direction of traffic at a time.

"The refuge island further enhances visibility of the crossing for approaching motorists, and permanent installations may feature additional crosswalk signage," wrote the town.

It is anticipated that a permanent pedestrian refuge island will be constructed at this location as part of the Sedgwick Road project, in addition to one at Lemay Street.

All of this is part of West Hartford's ongoing Vision Zero initiative that strives to eliminate fatal/serious injury incidents in town.

From July 8: 'West Hartford's Safety Push Urges Yielding To Pedestrians, Safe Bicycling'