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Crosswalk is needed on Seventh Street

Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, Oct 08, 2008 - 05:19:03 am MST

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To the Editor:

Did you know that you cannot legally cross North Seventh Street from Fry Boulevard to the bypass? There is no crosswalk for that whole stretch. On the east side of Seventh there are two apartment complexes at the junction of Theater Drive and Quail Hollow Drive and a bus stop with a bench and shelter. On the west side of North Seventh Street there is the S.V. Food Mart, American Sew and Vac, a Laundromat, a housing area and the homeless shelter. People have to cross the street but cannot do so legally because there is no crosswalk so they cannot legally get to the bus stop.

The speed limit at that point is 40 mph, slowing to 30 mph at South Railroad Street on the way south to Fry Boulevard. On Lenzner Avenue, the speed limit is 30 mph and is 35 on Coronado Drive, but it is 40 mph on North Seventh Street. Crossing North Seventh Street at rush hour is a hair-raising experience. If you don’t believe me, just try it. Cars are coming from five directions — north and south on Seventh, from Theater Drive, from the Food Mart parking lot and from Quail Hollow Drive. I tried it once with my walker but will never do it again.

Now the CAS school is open at the corner of North Seventh and Carmelilta and there is no crosswalk. The children cannot legally cross either street. If you are not bussed and have to walk, what are you supposed to do? I hope it doesn’t take an accident to find out.

In November 2007, I wrote Mayor Bob Strain about the problem and asked that a yellow pedestrian sign be placed on North Seventh Street near Theater Drive and the 30 mph sign be moved to that location. It is almost a year and nothing has been done. Do you have any ideas?

Norma L. Blier

Sierra Vista

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Skeptical wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:15 AM:

" TO: "Small Correction." Your "correction" went a long ways to confuse the question of jaywalking in Sierra Vista. Before posting in an effort to clarify something, it would be admirable if you would research the subject sufficiently to support your "correction." (P.S. I'd guess you're a wannabe lawyer or more likely a frustrated one.) "

small correction wrote on Oct 9, 2008 6:36 AM:

" Jaywalking is not allowed anywhere and SVPD will call you on jaywalking. There are no SV ordinances saying you can't cross a street at other than a crosswalk or traffic control device. I think you're confusing the 'legal' (though jaywalking is not a legal term) meaning with the common meaning. Jaywalking is crossing the street in other than designated places when there is a law or ordinance against doing so or crossing as to imped or endanger. Unless I'm mistaken (possible) SV does not have an ordinance against crossing safely at other than crosswalks nor is there a statute. "

Independent wrote on Oct 8, 2008 9:03 PM:

" Than you for your letter, Norma. Some parts of town are really tough on pedestrians. Even with a signal, there are intersections I'd hesitate to be on foot. Now that you've raised the issue, I hope the school will take formal action, including having someone speak at the call to the public at a council meeting. Nothing like raising the item's "profile" to get some action. The mayor may have asked someone to respond to you, and they didn't follow through. (I've always found him to be responsible.) You've raised awareness-fast. "

To Allen B wrote on Oct 8, 2008 8:14 PM:

" Do you think your business could afford a computer, that doesn't type everything in caps? "

ALLEN B. wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:29 AM:

" MY NAME IS ALLEN I OWN AND OPERATE A LOCAL BUSINESS AND I SEE AND HEAR VEHICLES OF ALL MAKES ALL DAY LONG FLYING UP AND DOWN N.7TH ST.ALSO SOME CARS DONT EVEN STOP FOR THE SCHOOL BUSES STOPPING ON N.7TH TO LET YOURS AND MY CHILDREN OUT.AND THEY CROSS THE STREET TO THEATER IT WILL BE A MATTER OF TIME NORMA.BEFORE SOMEONE IS HIRT OR GOD FORBID KILLED.THE POLICE NEED TO PUT AN OFFICER RIGHT BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH RAILROAD TO SLOW THESE PEOPLE DOWN.AT LEAST BE THERE WHEN SCHOOL BUSES GET THERE.DUMMY CAR ANYWAY. "

Skeptical wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:16 AM:

" TO: Well actually. Are you saying that Sierra Vista has no jay-walking ordinances? If so, it's a wonder that more folks aren't knocked off on our streets while jay-walking (not that an ordinance would solve that problem, as long as the police wouldn't enforce it). "

Well actually wrote on Oct 8, 2008 7:22 AM:

" There is no law or local ordinance that prohibits you from crossing wherever you want. You just have to yield the right of way if you cross at other than a crosswalk or other traffic control device. Not that that means crosswalks wouldn't be nice, but if it's the law you're worried about...go for it. Also, the City Manager and the Police Chief have the authority to change speed limits and traffic control devices, not the Mayor so you should direct your letters to them. "