The stretch--north of Wendy's--is without a sidewalk, exposing pedestrians and cyclists to aggressive Peach Street traffic. Impatient drivers are known to sometimes use that stretch to pass on the right.
The stretch is right next to the busy Peach & Kuntz Rd. bus stop. The stop itself is on a sidewalk, but many riders have to walk along the stretch going to or from the stop, and being at the end of the stretch, they are still exposed to aggressive traffic.
I am hoping that the EMTA has been doing the right thing, and encouraging action on behalf of the safety of riders along that stretch.
Regardless, right now they need to take a vocal and robust role in pushing for immediate action on this, before another tragedy occurs.
News & Opinion
(most recent first):
- New sidewalks in Millcreek "The installation of sidewalks along a dangerous section of Peach Street, is officially approved this morning." (YourErie, Published 05/18 2016)
- Deadly part of Peach Street in Millcreek to get sidewalks " A sidewalk proposed for a deadly section of Peach Street near the Millcreek Mall received unanimous support Wednesday from a local transportation committee, making the project eligible for state and federal funds." (Erie Times-News 5/19/16)
- Our View: Why no sidewalks on stretch of Peach? "For too many years, Millcreek officials regarded the township as a suburb intentionally designed to be car-friendly. Pedestrians were an afterthought...Millcreek supervisors should set up that meeting as soon as possible to figure out how to make this area safe for pedestrians. In the meantime, drivers should take extra care in watching out for walkers." (Erie Times-News 10/2015)
- No sidewalk extension planned as Millcreek police continue probe of fatal pedestrian crash "Millcreek Township Supervisor Brian McGrath said Tuesday that township officials have not discussed extending the sidewalk in that area with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. They have discussed sidewalk installation when meeting with PennDOT officials on roadway construction projects, such as the planned improvements along Interchange Road west of Interstate 79, he said.
- "PennDOT spokesman Jim Carroll said there are currently no projects planned by PennDOT that would involve adding sidewalks to that area." (Erie Times-News 5/14/15)
- Traffic Investigators Map the Scene of Peach Street Accident
- "Witnesses told police the driver, 25-year-old Joseph Bartone, had stopped for the light by the Wendy's restaurant parking lot. Officers say the evidence shows, when he pulled away from the light, heading north, he drove off the east side of the road, where 34-year-old Charles Rodstrom and his companion, 35-year-old Nicholas Sharer were walking, close to their home in the Grenada Apartment complex. Cpl.Anthony Chimera told us, "From the evidence we have so far, it appears that they were on the berm of the road, they were not in the travel lanes." (Erie News Now Posted: Oct 12, 2015 4:46 PM EST Updated: Nov 23, 2015 4:46 PM EDT) "
- One Dead and two injured in Peach Street accident ""According to Millcreek police, two men were walking along the east side of peach street when a car, driven by Joseph Bartone of Millcreek, hit the two men.
- "One of the victims 34 year old Charles Rodstrom, was pronounced dead." (YourErie 10/10/15)
- Millcreek pedestian killed along Peach Street "Millcreek Township police said Bryon Long, 27, of Millcreek, was pushing a shopping cart along the east berm of Peach Street, south of Kuntz Road, on Wednesday morning when he was hit by a van that drifted on the berm. Long was pronounced dead at the scene." (Erie Times-News 7/4/13)
Below: Looking south on Peach from Peach & Kuntz Rd. bus stop. Sidewalk stops at end of guardrail.
