BRIGHTON – Neighbors are pushing for a safer way to cross Penfield Road in Brighton.
An online petition calling for a crosswalk at Penfield and Colonial Village Roads has gathered more than 500 signatures. Danielle Novara organized the petition and lives nearby. She’s a regular at Tree Town Cafe.
“There’s people walking on either side,” she said. “The one with the sidewalk, the one without the sidewalk. And yeah, it’s just that not everyone’s always paying attention. It can be really dangerous at times.”
She said others have asked for a crosswalk for years. Several people waited to cross the busy road near Tree Town Cafe Friday evening.
“Just the amount of signatures that we got — I think people are starting to pay attention again,” Novara said.
Brighton Town Board Member Christine Corrado said the crosswalk was a hot topic at a listening session a week ago. They want a crosswalk with a flashing light installed.
“This crosswalk in particular has been much wanted,” she said. “We’ve been working our best with the county D.O.T. to get permission to have the crosswalks installed.”
Denise Derrick lives near Tree Town Cafe and said she tries to avoid crossing the street with her dog.
“I prefer not taking my pet over across the street just because it gets so busy over there,” Derrick said.
The owner of Tree Town Cafe said she supports a crosswalk. She remembers having to cross Penfield Road as a kid.
“I grew up here, so I used to come to what used to be Bernunzio’s Deli as a little kid, and my mom would equally have to run me across the road when we were crossing or bike across the road,” she said.
Corrado said people are crossing Penfield Road regardless of whether there is a crosswalk, so it should be made safer. Ultimately, it’s up to the Monroe County Department of Transportation to decide whether to install a crosswalk at Penfield and Colonial Village roads.
“We continue working with our county legislator, Sue Hugh Smith,” Corrado said. “She has authority through her seat on the Transportation Committee. She can advocate for us as well.”
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