Crosswalk flagged for safety

Electric City has a new crosswalk program that promotes safety, and, if successful, will be expanded to another crosswalk in the city.

This week those using the crosswalk to the city's post office will be able to pick up an orange flag to help motorists see them when they cross the highway. They can deposit the flag on the opposite side to be used when they return.

Mayor Jerry Sands has been working on the idea as a result of complaints made by Electric City resident Steve Salstrom, and others, who have reported that they were nearly hit by cars driving on SR-155.

"Actually, Birdie Hensley gave me the idea, and I've seen it used in Wenatchee," Sands said. Hensley is a former city councilmember.

Sands, who indicated last week that he is resigning at the end of February, said Wednesday

that the city has all the items necessary to get the new crosswalk approach underway, and he would like to complete it before he leaves office.

The flags are orange, the same used by boaters, and cost about $3 each.

If the idea works successfully, Sands said, he hopes the city will do the same at the crosswalk near H&H Grocery. That crossing is also a safety issue, Sands indicated.

Racks will be built to hold the flags on both sides of the crosswalk.

People are used to going much faster in highway travel and have a difficult time cutting their speed to 35 mph as they move into the city, Sands explained. "Maybe this will save someone from getting injured or killed," he said.

The mayor asked Salstrom to be the first one to use the flag system.