City moves to improve pedestrian safety

The City of Shelton is working to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety at some of the city's most dangerous crossings.

At its Aug. 20 meeting, the Shelton City Council gave preliminary approval to accepting a federal grant of almost $1.3 million for the design and construction of four Systemic Pedestrian Improvement Projects. The council can make the move official at its meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Shelton Civic Center.

If passed, the grant will be used at four intersections.

At the intersection of Olympia Highway North and I Street, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, curb extensions, street lighting, high visibility crosswalk markings, signs, pavement markings and curb ramps would be installed, "as needed." This project would be combined with a major improvement project on Olympic Highway North.

Rectangular rapid flashing beacons and curb ramps would be installed at West Railroad Avenue and Third Street in downtown Shelton. Four blocks away at Seventh Street and West Railroad Avenue, the existing traffic signal would be evaluated to assess possible changes to the left-turn lanes.

A nearby crosswalk would be relocated to Olympic Highway South and Bellevue Avenue, next to Shelton Outfitters. Rectangular rapid flashing beacons, high visibility crosswalk markings, signs, pavement markings and curb ramps would be installed. The sidewalk on the east side would be extended from Bellevue Avenue to Arcadia Avenue.

Three years ago, SCJ Alliance prepared a Local Road Safety Plan for the city with data-driven analysis that rated the city roadways for traffic safety, Public Works Director Jay Harris told the council. It is based on the top fatal and serious injury sites.

"The data was used to determine the top safety projects in the city," Harris said. The city council adopted the plan in January 2022.