(Photo: WBOC)CHESTERTOWN, Md.- Chestertown residents are pushing for safety improvements along state Route 514. They have been asking the State Highway Administration to install sidewalks, lights and signage, but the SHA says it needs to conduct a study before such action is taken.
"What you need to do is make these shoulders wider, put that pedestrian symbol and get some lighting until we can find a way to get some sidewalks in," said Chestertown Mayor Margo Bailey.
Over the last few years residential developments have been popping up, resulting in more foot traffic along Route 514. And some people in Chestertown are tired of waiting for safety improvements.
"We have waited five years or more now and it's people's lives and safety and this shouldn't be that hard," Bailey said. "Why does it take so long when we have been asking for five years on how to make safety corrections?"
A while back a girl was struck by a car while walking down that very road and Bailey wants to keep that from happening again.
"They heard about the person that was hit and said, 'Come on, I have five kids, I want to walk, bike,'" Bailey said. "We are trying to be a walkable and bike community and yet it's not safe."
Bailey said the SHA told the town that over the next few months it will conduct a study to determine if any changes are needed. That is not sitting well with the community.
"Certainly sooner, rather than later when you've had even one tragedy. We don't want any tragedies," said Mabel Mumford-Pauntz of Chestertown.
WBOC reached out to the SHA for comment, but our phone calls were not returned.
