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Improve Pedestrian Safety

The other day, I came from Deep River over Book Hill Road to Essex and came face-to-face with the construction at the River Road intersection. I thought, "Wow, this [River Road Sidewalk Project] is really 'Big Money.' It must be part of the 'Save Rural Essex' movement."

As a lifelong Essex resident and lover of the outdoors, I've walked and biked Essex a lot, including beautiful River Road. I have my list of the "Most Dangerous Walks in Essex." If any "extra money" becomes available, my suggestions for improving pedestrian safety are:

1.) Westbrook Road (between Spencer's Corner and Bokum Road intersection): Install a sidewalk (entire length) and a decent crosswalk system at the Bokum Center intersection. Many people walk that route, including residents of Meadowbrook and, probably now, those living at The Lofts at Spencer's Corner. The present walkway is a few lengths of antique sidewalk at the Centerbrook end. Not everyone wants to end their walk at the cemetery. A new sidewalk would provide a safe corridor to access many businesses in the Bokum Center vicinity.

2.) Dennison Road Railroad Bridge: Redesign that area to widen the bridge and bridge approach on the Centerbrook side and improve visibility. Traffic on Dennison Road has increased tremendously in the last few years. As a pedestrian trying to cross that bridge, if you're not a real speedy walker or your timing is a bit off (two vehicles on the bridge at the same time), you're forced to either straddle the metal guardrail or cling to the chain link fence on the bridge.

I believe that improving pedestrian safety in those two critical corridors is important.

Martha Moody

Essex