Anyone who’s ever walked across Market Street in front of Athens-Limestone Hospital knows how precarious it can be.
With the hospital, post office and other county agencies on the same street, Market is one of the most heavily traveled thoroughfares in Athens. In an effort to make that section of the street more pedestrian friendly, the city and hospital have teamed up on a joint venture to improve the crosswalk. The project should be completed within the week.
James Rich, superintendent of Athens Public Works, said the city is supplying the labor for the improvements, while the hospital is supplying the materials.
The goal is to upgrade the sidewalks to make them more handicapped accessible, while also updating the crosswalk. Curb and gutter improvements have also been made to that portion of the street.
Rich said the improvements would not only benefit hospital visitors, but also employees who park in the parking lot across the street.
In the middle of Market Street, workers are also installing what Rich called “refuge islands,” which will act to slow traffic down while also providing a safe spot to stand while crossing the street.
“It will give people a protected zone,” he said, adding the islands would contain grass or low-growing shrubs.
When asked if there were any specific near-misses that led to the improvements, Rich said that portion of the street has been in need of an upgrade.
“The crosswalk is further west (of the hospital), and it’s diagonal,” he said. “With the amount of traffic on Market Street, it needed some improvement.”
State and Nation
Related Photos
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A road crew works Thursday on improvements to Market Street in front of Athens-Limestone Hospital. News Courier/Lora Scripps
Discussion
September 28, 2012
City, hospital team up for Market Street improvement
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