The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says a crosswalk that has been in place for decades at a dangerous intersection in Walnutport must be removed.

After the borough requested a study for signs at the crosswalk between the McDonald’s and Dollar General on Main Street, PennDOT determined it should be removed.

It started when resident Leslie Dixon appeared before borough council in November to request to have pedestrian signs installed.

Dixon, who returned last week, said the crosswalk has been the site of multiple crashes over the years, including several fatalities. She said her mother, Dorothy Peters, was killed there in 2012.

Borough roadmaster Michael Wentz told Dixon that Main Street and Route 145 are under Penn­DOT’s jurisdiction.

Borough engineer Jason Newhard said at that time he wasn’t even sure it’s a legal crosswalk.

PennDOT says it must go

Borough solicitor Michael Corriere wrote a letter to PennDOT to see if a safety study was warranted.

The response was received on Jan. 7.

Corriere said PennDOT said it will not install additional signs and that the crosswalk should be removed.

The crosswalk does not meet PennDOT requirements because of driver sight distance based on speed limits.

Mayor Wayne Weidner said he was surprised to learn of PennDOT’s request.

“Now they want us to take that one away,” Weidner said.

Wentz noted that PennDOT has told the borough it must take the action.

“We are under order right now to remove the crosswalk,” Wentz said. “We have to remove the crosswalk immediately.”

Wentz said he received a quote in the amount of $400 to have the crosswalk removed. As soon as he hears back from the company, work will be scheduled as soon as possible.

Resident Donald Eckhart said, “There’s something wrong at that intersection.

“Part of what makes it so dangerous is it’s a bus stop,” Eckhart said. “Anything might help compared to what’s there right now.”

Eckhart said that traffic drives “way too fast” at that intersection.

Wentz said the crosswalk has been there for several decades.

“I’ve worked here for 32 years,” he said. “It predates me.”

Regardless, Councilman David Stankovic said the borough needs to comply with PennDOT’s request to avoid more fatalities.

Wentz then suggested to Dixon that she write a letter to her state representative or state senator.

Newhard said the borough always has the option to file for a permit, but added it probably wouldn’t get one.