To the editor:

Thanks to the city of Houghton–especially to City Manager Eric Waara, Police Chief John Donnelly, and the Public Works Department–for a great job repainting crosswalks in the downtown area.

Repainting of the four crosswalks at the intersection of Montezuma Avenue and Huron Street is especially appreciated. This intersection is at the conjunction of Heritage Manor, a municipal parking lot, the Grace United Methodist Church, the Carnegie Museum, the Continental Fire Company and Bonfire Grill, and the paved pathway leading directly from the Houghton County Courthouse, all of which have or might have significant pedestrian traffic and, thereby, increased downtown appeal.

In addition, research has shown that many seniors who choose not to age in place (that is, in their own homes) want to live within safe walking distance of downtown. Any improvements to safe crossing near Heritage Manor will help to provide such an option for more of our seniors.

MDOT has determined that this intersection does not meet the Michigan Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) warrants for a traffic signal. Hence, other means of reminding drivers of this pedestrian crossing are essential.

According to Safe Routes to School, “Marked crosswalks guide pedestrians and alert drivers to a crossing location, so it is important that both drivers and pedestrians clearly see the crossings. Crosswalks can be marked in paint or a longer lasting plastic or epoxy material embedded with reflective glass beads. Although more expensive, longer-lasting, high-visibility crosswalk marking materials are a better value over time as they require less maintenance.”

In addition, at this intersection, instead of the traditional parallel lines, Houghton has used a high-visibility ladder pattern. So thanks, again, for a job well done.