Several government agencies are partnering to install a lighted crosswalk at the intersection of Monterey Street and Nash Road where hundreds of high school students walk regularly.
The Council of San Benito County Governments is using transportation improvement funds to pay for much of the $65,000 project - intended to improve driver awareness, mostly during evenings and nights, by widening the Nash Road crosswalk from 12 to 40 feet and putting in the flashing lights, said city engineering official and project manager David Rubcic.
The city is providing equipment and manpower, while San Benito High School District offered up $11,600 to fund two additional LED-enhanced signs on top of two already in COG's original plan.
They also will install a crosswalk on Monterey Street, but without the lights, Rubcic said.
Officials expect work on the crosswalks - the road might be closed at times - to start Aug. 4 and last for five days. Prior to that, however, the city and county are partnering to repave that intersection as well, he said.
He noted how the lighted crosswalk, once finished, will be activated by crossing guards when they leave for the evening after school is out. Its purpose is to increase safety when crossing guards and campus supervisors aren't there, especially at such higher-traffic times as during sporting events.
"There's quite a bit of activity in the evenings," Rubcic said.
Kollin Kosmicki Kollin Kosmicki is editor of the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 337 or editor@freelancenews.com.
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