A Lehighton woman has started a petition to make an existing crosswalk at a busy intersection safer for pedestrians.

Karla Gadecki said she’d like to see the borough install a pedestrian crosswalk system at Bridge and Bankway/East Bridge Street near RJ Walker Plumbing.

“I am not seeking to install a traffic light at Bridge and Bankway/East Bridge St,” Gadecki said. “I’m also not seeking to install a new crosswalk at this location.

“My goal is to make the existing crosswalk safer.”

Gadecki said that at the crossing by Dunkin’ Donuts, there is bolder paint on the road which is more visible to vehicles, and many signs to indicate to drivers this is an area where pedestrians cross.

However, she noted there are no signs by the RJ Walker crossing, and only two white lines in the road.

“I personally use this crosswalk with my child to reach the playground in Weissport,” Gadecki said. “A gentleman who lives near me and uses a motorized wheelchair uses this crosswalk daily. I’ve also been told of folks who’ve had to walk out, waving their arms, in an effort to get cars to stop. This needs to change.”

Gadecki said she believes a pedestrian crosswalk system will help make crossing the busy road safer.

“There are no signs or lights to indicate to oncoming traffic that this is a crossing area for pedestrians,” Gadecki said. “A pedestrian crosswalk system will provide a safe and effective way to inform motorists a pedestrian is waiting to safely cross the road, and allow them time to stop for the pedestrian to cross.”

Gadecki said she believes a crosswalk system is sorely needed at the intersection.

“Currently there is no other place on this road to cross,” she said. “The only indication it is an area to cross are the slanted sidewalks, tactile paving, and crosswalk lines which are most visible to pedestrians as opposed to motorists.”

Gadecki explained why she feels a crosswalk system is necessary.

“The nearest traffic light at Blakeslee Boulevard Drive East and East Bridge Street does not allow pedestrians to cross, and has several signs indicating pedestrians are not allowed to cross the road there,” she said. “Additionally, there is only a partial sidewalk on one side of the road to even access the area near this traffic light, leaving the crosswalk area at Bridge and Bankway/East Bridge Street the only accessible crossing area on the road.”

Gadecki said she had emailed borough Manager Nicole Beckett about installing a pedestrian crosswalk system and was told it would be a costly project, and that she would recommend there be numerous signatures rather than just a one-person request.

“That’s what prompted me to do a petition, which I plan to present to the council at their next meeting on Feb. 1,” she said. “Hoping to gather as many signatures as I can until then.”

Contacted Tuesday morning, Beckett said she does not have any comments at this time.

Gadecki said she uses the crosswalk practically daily to cross to the playground in Weissport with her 3-year-old.

“It can often be difficult to cross, as no one stops, or if someone is kind enough to stop for you on one side, the opposite side of traffic doesn’t stop as well, or folks try to drive around the stopped car.”

Gadecki said she’s hoping her request moves forward.

“I’m specifically asking the town to formally consider this request, budget appropriately for it, and submit in writing a request to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Carbon County District Office for a study to be done regarding the installation of a pedestrian crosswalk system,” she said.

To sign the petition, visit: change.org/lehightoncrosswalk.