A high-visibility crosswalk that includes flashing beacons and a pedestrian island on Patteson Drive at Laurel Street has been installed by West Virginia Division of Highways. Laurel serves as the access to Krepps Park.
The lights and island are the latest in an attempt to shine a light on pedestrian safety.
As reported five years ago, within a month of one another in early 2018, separate vehicle-versus-pedestrian accidents killed one WVU student and left another critically injured.
The high-profile, back-to-back incidents prompted a coalition of stakeholders, including WVU, the city of Morgantown, Monongalia County, the Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization and the DOH to act.
That effort resulted in high-visibility crosswalks with Solar Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at the intersection of University Avenue and Falling Run Road and on University Avenue in the area of 8th Street and Law School Drive.
The most recent project, considered larger than the previous two, was announced in November by MPO Policy Board President Ron Justice.
MPO Executive Director Bill Austin said then that the state put the project out for bids in October and Justice said this spring was the anticipated completion date.
