Apalachin Residents Puzzled by New Pedestrian Crossings

Some people who live and work in Tioga County are wondering why pedestrian crossing signals are being installed in areas where few people walk.

Over the last several weeks, crews have been doing construction work to add signal heads and push buttons at several locations along Route 434 and Route 17C in Apalachin.

Signals were installed at a Route 17 exit ramp on the Millennium Bridge between Apalachin and Campville.

A raised pedestrian "refuge island" also was constructed at an entrance ramp to Route 17.

Residents and business operators in the area have raised questions about the decision to make costly pedestrian improvements where there are no sidewalks. They note it appears very few people walk around the sites where the work is being done.

Owego town supervisor Donald Castellucci said it didn't seem to make sense to install signals where there's little pedestrian traffic.

Crosswalk markings are expected to be made at the intersections when the traffic signal work is complete.

The state Department of Transportation Binghamton office could provide no information on how the signal sites were selected or how much the project will cost.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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