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Date: 8/1/2023
SPRINGFIELD — The need for improvements in creating a safer State Street library crossing has city officials, employees and residents concerned about the continued lack of progress.
To bring awareness to the “dangerous” area, City Council President and mayoral candidate Jesse Lederman was recently joined by members of the library union and patrons for an informational picket.
Lederman has been an advocate of the safety upgrades since 2019.
“The State Street library crossing remains a serious danger for library patrons and employees,” he said. “I have joined with residents and library employees in calling this out since 2019, and I share in their dismay and concern over the continued lack of action.”
In 2019, Lederman requested for the DPW to consider installing a protected, signalized crossing. At that time, he said, the Sarno administration “responded with a lengthy and forceful denial and refused to take any action.”
He added that the administration “actively presented a case saying this was not a problem.”
“However, after several years of persistent advocacy by Lederman, pedestrian safety organizations, library employees and residents, the Sarno administration changed its tune and announced in December 2021, an extensive redesign of the lower State Street Corridor to include a protected, raised and signalized crosswalk between the Central Library and its parking lot,” Lederman said.
At that time, changes were set to be made by fall 2022, however it was later announced that the project would be delayed until spring 2023.
“It’s almost August and we haven’t seen any action. We shouldn’t have to hold vigils to get crosswalks built. It just should not be this hard — if our local government can’t manage something this basic, what is going on?” Lederman questioned. “In the meantime, there continues to be daily crossings at this location that endanger the safety and lives of both pedestrians and drivers on the road.”
Library Union American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees No. 1596 President Chelsea Bell said after the picketing took place, the city released a statement that said project funding would be provided by the fall.
“The issue has been ongoing for us,” Bell shared. She noted that stewards have been going to City Council meetings since a vehicle struck and killed librarian Gayle Ball in November 2021.
In 2014, a 7-year-old girl was also hit by a truck on State Street and later died because of the injuries.
Bell said the area — specifically State Street — has become a place for library, museum and city patrons to park, leading to further concerns.
Mayor Domenic Sarno shared that the delay in action comes from design work that had to be done. However, he noted that actions were taken to slow traffic, such as putting up barrels.
Now that the design work is complete and the request for a quote is due in August, Sarno is hopeful that work can possibly start in late fall or early spring 2024.
“Unfortunately, these things take time,” he said.
Sarno noted that the city received a Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant that will fund 15 intersections and 11 corridors, including State Street. Additionally, Sarno said he “put money up front” for this project.
He went on to say that the city will continue with its traffic education and speed signs. “[We] urge people — even when [the] design [and] work is done — [they] need to be cautious,” he said.
Sarno noted that distracted driving has been a major issue, along with people speeding and using their phones.
“Drivers need to pay attention and pedestrians too,” he said.
Even with a crosswalk there, Sarno explained that pedestrians still need to take precautions, as it does not mean a vehicle will stop or pay attention to their surroundings.
“[People] need to be cognizant of that,” he said.
Bell shared that she hopes the city sticks to their word and puts a crosswalk in the area.
She went on to say that people should not fear crossing the street.
Lederman said he wants to make sure this issue remains front and center — and a high priority — as he believes it should have already been done.
Reminder Publishing reached out to DPW Director Chris Cignoli for comment but did not hear back as of press time.