Letter to the Editor: Dangerous Intersection Needs to be Addressed

Dear Editor:

The two recent car crashes on July 21 and September 21,2010,(where cars went off the road and dropped into Frost Fish Brook), highlight the hazardous road conditions at the five way intersection of Conant St., Elliot St.,  and Burley Farm Road.  This is an inherently dangerous intersection for motorists and potentially even more dangerous for pedestrians traveling to/from the Holten-Richmond Middle School & Plains Park.

There is a lighted “no turn on red” sign on Elliot St. which was installed by the town as a interim solution. This sign is regularly ignored and /or misunderstood by motorists.  The sign is just a band aid, and not the permanent solution.

Many times after a motor vehicle fatality people ask the question “What could we have done differently?”  Let’s not find ourselves in that situation. The town of Danvers has always led the way when it comes to providing quality infrastructure and services to it’s residents.

An overhead pedestrian walkway would be a great solution. It could be designed to shield Frost Fish Brook from vehicles and it would also provide a safe pathway for residents to access the Holten-Richmond Middle School & Plain’s Park from the North.

Thank you,

Kathleen  Marquis

Editor's Note: Kathleen Marquis originally wrote this letter to the town on Oct. 5, 2010. She resubmitted it this week after what she described as a "near death experience" trying to cross the street recently.