Bloomington installs new pedestrian crosswalk

In an effort to combat pedestrian safety problems on Dunn Street, the city of Bloomington installed a pedestrian crosswalk and pedestrian stoplight last week.

The new crosswalk, at 19th  and Dunn Streets, is at the main west entrance of Memorial Stadium near IU campus bus A and X stops.

“About half the people who use the bus there at the stadium walk across the street,” said Perry Maull, operations manager for IU Campus Bus Service.

The crosswalk stoplights will warn drivers when pedestrians are crossing. When no lights are lit, drivers do not stop. A yellow light will flash as a warning to drivers that pedestrians are preparing to cross, and then a red light will indicate pedestrians are crossing.

Officially named the High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk, it is the second of such crosswalks in Indiana and the first in Bloomington.

Sophomore Abby Hull, who lives in Varsity Courts across the street from the stadium bus stops, said the new light will make crossing the street easier.

“It’s definitely a good idea, because there are so many people who have to cross there,” she said.

— Colleen Sikorski