Birchwood Gets New Crossing Safety System

Town and South Huntington school administrators dedicated a new crosswalk safety system Monday at Birchwood Intermediate School.

Wider sidewalk and grassy areas extend the curbing at the crosswalk in front of the school at 121 Wolf Hill Road. That shortens the length of the crosswalk by several feet, meaning children spend less time at the street. The tighter space is also meant to slow drivers down in both directions.

Bright flashers warn drivers in either direction that pedestrians are about to cross the road. 

Town Supervisor Frank Petrone and Town Board members Susan Berland and Mark Cuthbertson joined in the dedication, along with the district superintendent Dr. David Bennardo and other school representatives.

Petrone said the project was "a great opportunity" to fix a safety problem. "Wolf Hill Road is exceptionally busy" in that area.  "We worked with the district" to make the area safer, he said.