In recent years, flashing yellow lights lining three crosswalks on Maine Street have made it safer for pedestrians to traverse local roads.
The College has recently upped this effort, adding a fourth lighted crosswalk on Bath Road.
Installed two weeks ago, the crosswalk sits directly in front of Rhodes Hall at the southwest entrance to the College. It consists of seven lights on each side placed to warn oncoming drivers.
In the two years that Director of Safety and Security Randy Nichols has worked at Bowdoin, he has witnessed many close calls with pedestrian safety on that particular crosswalk.
"There were close calls on almost a daily basis," Nichols said.
According to Nichols, the danger stems from a turning lane on Bath Road?a two-lane street?which obscures the view of pedestrians and drivers.
According to the Maine Motor Vehicle Statutes, Title 29-A, "a driver must yield right-of-way to a pedestrian on a sidewalk or within a marked crosswalk." However, it also states that "a pedestrian may not suddenly...walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the operator to yield."
"There have been numerous instances where people have been [crossing] and vehicles had to brake suddenly," said Nichols.
"Anyone that regularly uses that crosswalk has stories to tell," he said. "There were so many close calls that we figured it was just a matter of time before someone got hit."
The lighted crosswalk project was a collaboration between Nichols, Director of Facilities Operations and Maintenance Ted Stam, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Katy Longley and Public Works Director of Brunswick John Foster.
Longley secured the funding for the project, which totaled $19, 657.
Construction on the lighted crosswalk started on September 30 and finished October 1, according to Nichols.
Students across campus have lobbied for similar lighting projects near their dorms.
"Since it's getting darker around 4 p.m., it isn't as easy to get cars to stop because it takes them longer to notice [a pedestrian] waiting," said Helmreich House resident Natalie Haimo '10. "I've discussed my concern with my friends and we all agree that when we come home from class, it would be nice to have those crosswalk lights."
Haimo also expressed concern for pedestrian safety during the weekends, with regular parties held at College houses on Maine Street.
"The lights would help prevent accidents," Haimo added.
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