Chapel Hill hopes sidewalk art spurs pedestrian safety
CHAPEL HILL N.C. (WTVD) -- The colorful crosswalk on Willow Drive is the first of its kind in Chapel Hill, but it won't be the last.
Police say the public art is meant to curb pedestrian accidents - the town had 21 last year, including one fatal in October.
"We do have crashes that involve pedestrians," Cjhapel Hill Police Lieutenant Celisa Lehew, said. "One is too many, so obviously our goal is to have zero accidents, or crashes, that involve any type of injury."
Town officials say it reinforces walking as one of the best forms of public transportation.
"I think what the crosswalks represent is just another step in the ongoing efforts the town has been making, over the last decade, to promote a community in which all modes of transportation are given the same value," Long Range and Transportation Planning Manager for the, David Bonk said.
The town is testing out how the special stripping paint holds up against traffic and weather conditions before moving forward with 5 other designer crosswalks, each designed by a different local artist.
Locations planned:
The crosswalk project is temporary, given the flow of traffic according to Jeffrey York, the town's public and cultural arts administrator.
"The projects are expected to last two to three years before needing to be repainted. During the time the designs are in place, their effectiveness will be evaluated. When they begin to fade, other artist-designed crosswalk projects may be initiated or the crosswalks will be returned to the standard white striping," York said.
