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Dangerous situation in front of Productive Alternatives
Published Wednesday, October 17, 2007
It’s great to have the Cascade bridge open. It’s also great to see the freshly painted crosswalk with orange light to protect employees of Otter Tail Power Company when they cross the street between their corporate offices. I am happy to live in a community that protects corporate executives. However, there is a forgotten population that needs even more protection than Otter Tail Power. That is the population of people that work at Productive Alternatives (PAI) on North Tower Road. Everyday consumers of PAI walk to and from home and job sites, dodging traffic on North Tower Road where the speed limit is 40 miles per hour. There are no intersections in the area. I’ve asked the city to look into this situation and I have been told “it’s not worth it for only a few people,” (how much is a life worth?) “crosswalks give a false sense of security,” (studies refute that) “it’s not the city’s responsibility” (huh? it’s a city street) and “let’s wait until we have a chance to study the situation.” (there has been no motion to study).
The situation in front of Productive Alternatives is extremely dangerous because consumers of PAI, a workshop for people with mental and physical disabilities, tend to be more impulsive and less capable of judging speed and distance than the general population. In addition, there are buses from Otter Tail Coaches returning to the bus garage at the same time Productive Alternatives consumers are getting off work, adding to the traffic.
Why shouldn’t the consumers of PAI be given the same safety protection as any other citizen? I believe they should be provided even more city protection because of their vulnerability.
On the corner by Wal-Mart and Mabel Murphy’s there was a fatality before a sign was installed. Let’s not wait that long.
I propose a boldly painted cross walk with an over-the-road orange flashing light to alert drivers to pedestrians crossing in that area.
Nothing less than Otter Tail Power executives.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by wendies43 (anonymous) on October 17, 2007 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes I do too!! This is ridiculous. Who pays for the painting of the lines in front of Ottertail Power?? They also had cones there but none by the library until someone brought that to the attention of the city? Where is the common sense here?? Who can cross a road better. Ottertail power employees or PAI consumers? COME ON GET WITH IT!!!!!
Posted by freda (anonymous) on October 22, 2007 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think that businesses are the ones who are to seek out the pedestrian cones from the city, and the businesses are responsible for putting them out and taking them in at the end of the business day. There will likely need to be a speed change on Tower Road if there is going to be a crosswalk. Maybe it should have always been 30 MPH. I have never seen anyone attempting to walk across that roadway. Where are they trying to get to? PA people ride a bus to and from work, and there is a parking lot for people doing business there.
Posted by kittycat54 (anonymous) on October 22, 2007 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To the person who thinks that all Productive Alternative consumers take a bus to and from work, that is not true. There are many people who walk to and from work to PAI. A lot of the consumers are living on their own and get to work and home on their own.
Take a drive out this way 7:30 am or 2 to 3pm. Maybe try getting across the street at one of those times.
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