Again, people attempting to cross Route 1 on foot outside of crosswalks are called, idiots. This time it's Secretary of Transportation Shailen Bhatt, quoted in your recent editorial. Unbelievable.
Yoo-hoo, Secretary Bhatt, there are no crosswalks! Yoo-hoo Cape Gazette, there are no crosswalks! No crosswalks south of the Midway Plaza to south of the canal bridge; no crosswalks past Route 24, past Walmart and the Rehoboth Mall; no crosswalks past the entrance to Rehoboth Avenue.
The southbound and northbound bus stops in front of Walmart are the two busiest on the route. No way to do your shopping and get back on the bus to go home.
No crosswalks.
If someone chose to walk the miles north from Rehoboth Avenue to Midway Plaza to use the crosswalk, then walk the miles back, that would be safer? On a road with no sidewalks?
There is a second crossroad at the north end of Midway Plaza, at Postal Road. North of that, there is no crosswalk at Five Points, nowhere until maybe Dover. From Five Points to past the canal bridge, approximately seven miles, there are two crosswalks, located two-tenths of a mile apart. South of the bridge, there are fewer pedestrians, but many good crosswalks.
From Route I-95 south to its destination, Route 1 is a through road. Its destination is Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, and Dewey Beach. Anywhere south of us, there are faster routes from north and west, especially in the summer season, when Route 1 around here is a parking lot. Where our businesses are, Route 1 is not a through road. At least our businesses hope not. This is where everybody heading down Route 1 is coming to. Once they are here, let them cross the road to get from their hotel to a restaurant.
Nobody can cross Route I on foot responsibly, because the road is designed to make sure they can't. Maybe some official can actually look at the pavement next time they drive along, notice that there are no crosswalks, and do something about it.
While the task force deliberates, someone go over to Route 1 and paint in some crosswalks at the light-signaled intersections. No muss, no fuss, just paint. Get out the paint bucket and save lives.
Ken Kusterer
Lewes
