At Monday afternoon’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting, the council approved a new safety improvement near the Grade School sparked by an idea from a local student.
The council gave the green light to install a flashing pedestrian crosswalk sign at the intersection of Oak and Poplar Streets. Mayor Joe Judge says recent traffic studies confirmed the need for additional warning at the busy crossing.
The idea was first brought to the council back in February by Mt. Carmel Grade School fourth grader Jonah Bisby. Jonah spoke during a council meeting, sharing concerns about cars not yielding to students and pedestrians at the intersection he frequently uses while riding his bike to school.
He proposed a rectangular rapid flashing beacon system and even came prepared with research, cost estimates, and a visual example.
Mayor Judge and council members praised Jonah at the time for his initiative, and now say they’re pleased to move forward with the project.
City officials say the new flashing crosswalk sign is expected to improve visibility and safety for students and pedestrians in the area.
