A new piano-key style crosswalk Caltrans recently finished in Middletown. The new crosswalk is meant to enhance visibility. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.

MIDDLETOWN – Caltrans, in cooperation with the Middletown Area Town Hall (MATH), has begun pedestrian safety improvements in Middletown.

Caltrans met with MATH in July to discuss concerns about pedestrian safety and possible solutions, according to Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie.

In response to this meeting, Caltrans proposed a number of projects, said Frisbie. They included re-striping existing crosswalks with enhanced visibility “piano key” style crosswalks, adding additional crosswalks at Douglas Street and Armstrong Street, and installing a new “Pedestrians Ahead” sign for northbound traffic entering Middletown on Calistoga Street (Route 29).

These enhancements are meant to increase driver awareness, and may provide a traffic-calming effect, Frisbie reported.

Work is expected to be complete by the end of September 2007, according to Frisbie's report.

“We are excited to be working with MATH to improve pedestrian safety,” said Charlie Fielder, Caltrans District 1 director, “and we look forward to working with Lake County and other local groups to identify additional safety projects in the near future.”

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

More brightly painted crosswalks completed during Caltrans' recent work in Middletown. Photo courtesy of Caltrans.