TORRINGTON – One of Torrington’s hazardous pedestrian crosswalks receives a much-needed improvement thanks to grant money received. 

“The intersection at East A and East 19th is a higher-risk pedestrian crossing due to the relatively high traffic flow on East A Street, the amount of public parking immediately adjacent, and as an access point to the Senior Friendship Center,” Matt Johnson, Torrington Chief of Police explained. 

According to the announcement, the intersection is now equipped with push-button activated signs which flash in every direction when activated by a pedestrian. 

“On East A Street, the pedestrian signs will flash north/south traffic and on East19th Avenue, the stop signs will flash for east/west traffic,” the announcement read. “The crosswalk markings have also been upgraded for higher visibility. Two additional signs will be installed on East A Street in the next few weeks to show vehicles where to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.”

The City of Torrington was seeking options to improve pedestrian visibility in the area, according to Johnson, which led to stumbling upon a grant to help the city with the help of GoGoshen. 

“We selected a solar powered system that is push-button activated, and we included higher visibility crosswalk markings for the intersection at East A and East 19th, as well as East A and East 20th,” Johnson said. “The advantage of the system that we selected is that when a pedestrian pushes a button at any corner of the intersection, it activates the flashing signs in all four directions to make drivers aware that a pedestrian is present.”  

The department expects the new system to help improve pedestrian safety at the intersection, according to the announcement. 

“Please remember that Wyoming law requires vehicles to yield to pedestrians in any crosswalk,” the department explained.

“This improvement was made possible by a Progress Grant from GoGoshen and the hard work of our amazing streets and sanitation team,” the department’s announcement said. “We are very grateful for their support in keeping our community safe.” 

According to Johnson, the city was successful with the grant application and they were able to order the new equipment. 

“Ed Hawley’s team with the streets department completed the installation at the intersection and the system is now operational. We are waiting on two additional signs that will be posted below the pedestrian signs on east A Street that act as a reminder on the requirement to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk,” Johnson said. “Hopefully, those will be installed in the next week or so.”

“The mission of the Progress Program is to enhance Goshen County through projects ranging from beautification to public safety,” GoGoshen Executive Director, Brian Young said. “We are happy to have played a part in making the crosswalk project possible.”