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Battle Ground, Wash. - Installation of a new mid-block pedestrian crossing on East Main Street in Battle Ground’s Old Town district is complete and the crosswalk is open for use. Located between Clark and 4th Avenues, the crossing serves one of the most pedestrian-active sections of the street.
The crossing includes a signal – a flashing light referred to as a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon - that is activated by pedestrians preparing to cross the street. Its bright yellow flashing light serves as a warning to motorists to stop for pedestrians.
“State traffic laws are clear that any vehicle approaching this crosswalk from either direction must stop when someone is in the crosswalk”, said Battle Ground Police Traffic Officer Julia MacPhee, referring to RCW 46.61.261, “and vehicles must remain stopped until the person has made it safely across the roadway and out of the crosswalk.”
Officer MacPhee explains that pedestrian and other use of the crosswalk is also defined in state law, “No pedestrian, bicyclist, or other crosswalk user is to suddenly leave the curb and move into the path of a vehicle when it is impossible or unreasonable for that vehicle to stop.
“The new signaled crosswalk will make pedestrians and others crossing the roadway more visible to oncoming traffic, providing a safer solution for everyone using the roadway. Battle Ground Police Officers regularly patrol the area and may enforce violations of crosswalk laws through education and issuance of infraction when deemed necessary.”
Grant funding, in the amount of $50,000 from the Transportation Improvement Board Complete Streets program, covered 95% of the total project cost of $53,000.