Town crosswalks soon for Turkey Creek Road, McFee, Grigsby Chapel
Three of Farragut’s more dangerous roadways are getting mid-block pedestrian crossings to make it safer for pedestrians to cross streets.
“These are all the new style crosswalks,” Mayor Ron Williams said. “They’ve got the bollards. They’ve got the solar panels to actually power them.
“They don’t necessarily have to have electricity; so if the power’s out, they’ll work all the time,” he added.
Two of the mid-block crossing projects in Farragut are nearing completion, according to a Town press release.
“One will improve three crossings on Turkey Creek Road near Anchor Park and the other will provide new crossings at McFee Road near the north entrance of McFee Park, and one at Grigsby Chapel Road, near Weatherly Hills Boulevard/Woodchase Drive,” the release stated. “The crossings include signage, markings and flashing warning beacons.”
“We want to be pro-active instead of reactive,” Town capital improvements coordinator Ben White said in a video.
He also said the flashing beacons can be activated by pedestrians crossing a road with the push of a button.
“This will give a flashing beacon through oncoming traffic to attract (motorists’) attention when someone is crossing this location,” White said. “Plus, we’re going to enhance the pavement markings and the signage at all three of the locations.”
Williams pointed out on one of the streets the sidewalk ends. The mid-block crosswalk will allow pedestrians to cross the street to where there is a sidewalk.
“This is one of many projects the Town of Farragut is performing to enhance public safety,” White said, adding the projects should wrap up in December.
“I really think that once you have driven (those streets) enough and see (the crosswalks), then everybody will be on their toes about watching (for) them,” Williams said.
