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Department of Public Works Releases Statement on Pedestrian Fatality along North Avenue

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 21, 2018
Contact:  Rob Goulding, (802) 540-0846

     

Department of Public Works Releases Statement on Pedestrian Fatality along North Avenue

 

Burlington, VT – On Thursday, December 20, at approximately 5:05 p.m., a 61-year-old male pedestrian walking a dog was struck and killed by a southbound vehicle in the vicinity of 1205 North Avenue. Police investigation suggests that the pedestrian was crossing between intersections, in a location during low light conditions. Preliminary calculations suggest the driver was driving below the posted speed limit and obeying all applicable traffic laws.

 

In response, Department of Public Works Director Chapin Spencer issued the following statement:

 

“This is a tragic incident, and I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Pedestrian fatalities are exceedingly rare in Burlington, and this event reminds us of why we are actively working to make our City even safer. During my leadership the City has installed 11 crosswalks with rapid-flashing beacons, constructed 4 sidewalks where no pedestrian path existed and installed pedestrian signals at four other intersections. The City has also re-built nearly 6 miles of sidewalks over the last two years, tripling past average production, and in 2018 added 24 curb extensions making pedestrian crossings shorter.

 

“As part of this City-wide work, in the summer of 2017 the City settled on a three lane configuration for North Ave enabling us to advance final project design of five new crosswalks with rapid-flashing beacons along this corridor. This scope of work, at a total cost of approximately $330K, includes a new crosswalk for the intersection at Poirier Place close to where this tragic accident occurred. While initially projected for construction in fall of 2018, we have worked to advance the extensive planning involved, which includes federal grant requirements, permitting, obtaining temporary rights-of-way and utility coordination. We completed all of this planning work in November of this year, and as a result, we will be starting construction to install these five crosswalks in spring of 2019.”

 

 

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Press Release Date: 
12/21/2018
City Department: 
Public Works Department