Campus crosswalks questioned

A traffic study is expected to be completed next week to determine whether multiple midstreet crosswalks installed on state roads around Washington & Jefferson College’s campus are legal or if they should be immediately removed.
The state Department of Transportation’s traffic unit earlier this month began reviewing how three midstreet crosswalks, including two on East Beau Street, were established nearly six years ago and whether they are safe crossing points for pedestrians.
“The traffic unit is looking at it currently to see whether they’re approved and, if not, whether they can be approved,” PennDOT spokesman Jay Ofsanik said. “They need some more time to come up with a definitive answer.”
PennDOT began reviewing the situation after Washington School District officials requested in early December a similar miblock crosswalk on Jefferson Avenue, only to be denied. In its appeal, the school district cited similar crosswalks at W&J, which prompted PennDOT to question their placement.
The situation is somewhat confounding for W&J administrators, who worked with PennDOT recently to order several moveable pedestrian crossing signs to be placed in the middle of various crosswalks to alert motorists. The Office of Student Life worked closely with PennDOT to inform the department where the signs would be placed, W&J spokeswoman Karen Oosterhous said, so the department should have been aware of the midblock crosswalks.
Oosterhous added the college had some communication with PennDOT since the issue was raised last month and will make adjustments, if needed.
“The college looks forward to working with PennDOT to resolve any questions about the crosswalks,” she said.
The transportation department is investigating why the college installed the crosswalks on campus without going through the formal approval process and whether to grant a special request to have them permanently installed on the state road.
Ofsanik previously said PennDOT never approved the crosswalks and planned to contact city officials to discuss their placement. Washington Mayor Brenda Davis said they still have not heard from PennDOT, and she’s unsure if city officials will take any action before the traffic study is completed.
“It’s too early to tell,” Davis said. “We obviously need to see what PennDOT’s letter entails and what is there for us to do. If council wants to take a different avenue, then we need to sit down and discuss it.”
City officials said in May 2009 they were never informed by the college when the crosswalks were installed.