What was proposed this week for the Coastal Highway median is not the answer to stopping pedestrians from crossing mid-block, but with a few tweaks it could be.
The goal of making it impossible, or at least extremely difficult, for pedestrians to cross from one side of the highway to the other outside of crosswalks and traffic lights is worthwhile. Having the appropriate barrier to prevent easy crossings will most likely save lives, although it could never be quantified.
While the goal is laudable, it needs to be done right. The early renderings presented to the Ocean City Transportation Committee this week fall short. In fact, the structure presented does not prevent people from getting through it at all. It would be possible for people of all sizes to squeeze through as well as climb over it in some cases. In our view, as it stands now, the structure might actually entice those who are not of full rational mindset, which often happens with folks on vacation.
As presented this week, the State Highway Administration wants to trial the new impediment over a mile stretch of Coastal Highway, from the convention center to the Route 90 Bridge. It just happens to be one of the busiest stretches for pedestrians in the entire town, due to volume of popular bars and restaurants in the area as well as lodging establishments.
In previous discussions, the topic of a decorative fence being constructed was unfavorably received. We believe the fence concept coupled with resilient landscaping is the only structure that will truly keep people from crossing away from the marked intersections. They need to be given no other choice. That’s the only way it will work.
In Virginia Beach, there are black fences along main roads that are disguised somewhat by hearty vegetation. There, the sight lines from one side of the highway to the other are challenging, but at some point the ability to see from one side of the highway to the other to commercial businesses has to be leapfrogged on the priority list by safety enhancements.
It might be a situation where the primary goal of deterring people from crossing mid-block while also not blocking the bayside and oceanside views of businesses cannot be accomplished. It may have to be one or the other.
The simplest solution here is to increase the height of the poles and add some horizontal beams to the design presented this week to the transportation committee. Otherwise, the presented concepts of beefing up landscaping and improving lighting are on point.
We like the viewpoints expressed this week about the importance of time and getting these safety enhancements installed on the busy stretch before next summer. There’s no reason to wait if the revised design with the critical additions that will restrict mid-block crossings meets the Mayor and Council’s favor. We would like this to be one of the instances when government impresses, rather than disappoints, with its pace of making decisions.