Crosswalks, railroad crossings focus of Quincy street plan discussion

QUINCY — The annual review of Quincy’s six-year transportation plan also prompted a discussion of crosswalks and pedestrian safety by Quincy City Council members May 19. 

Quincy’s business district sits at the intersection of SR 28 and SR 281, and council member Jim Kling said walking across Central Avenue South – which is SR 281 – can be a challenge. Kling cited the intersection of SR 281 and H Street Southeast as an example. 

“Responding from the fire department and driving that road all the time – we need a crosswalk right in there,” Kling said. “As a matter of fact, Dylan (Kling) and I watched an accident happen right there.” 

City Engineer Ariel Belino said it would be possible to add crosswalks to the street plan, which details proposed street improvements over a six-year period. Projects along SR 28 and SR 281 are kind of jurisdictionally complicated, he said, since they are state highways as well as city streets, and are under the control of the Washington Department of Transportation. 

Councilman Dave Dormier asked about SR 28, which is F Street where it runs through town.  

“It’s inside the city, it’s our jurisdiction, but anything that happens on Highway 28, it’s their responsibility,” Belino said. “There’s a plan to improve the sidewalk, to improve the crossing, to have a beacon light.” 

Belino said DOT officials had contacted the city about proposed upgrades for pedestrians on SR 28. 

“They said they had money for SR 28 along Quincy for improvements,” he said.  

DOT officials identified the intersection at First Avenue Southwest as a possible location for a crosswalk, he said. 

Dormier also asked about safety improvements at railroad crossings. The section of town north of the railroad tracks has experienced substantial growth, especially in residential housing. 

Belino said safety improvements to all railroad crossings have been included in the plan, with the first one scheduled for this summer. Work on A Street Northeast will begin after the school year ends in June. 

A Street Northeast will be repaved, with sidewalks added on one side of the street and a guardrail between the street and the train tracks. Adding a fence was discussed during the design phase, but Belino said in an earlier interview that city officials ultimately decided a fence might add to, rather than solve, some of the safety problems. 

“If you have a fence, the kids will climb over,” he said.   

Improvements to 13th Avenue Southwest also are scheduled for 2027. The road provides access to Lauzier Park, where city officials are working on further development of recreation opportunities.  

To accommodate park development, 13th Avenue Southwest will be widened, with a left turn lane added. New sidewalks, curbs, an improved storm drain system and streetlights will be part of the project.  

Third Avenue also is slated for improvements in 2027, with work from J Street Southeast to Quincy High School. Belino said devices will be installed to discourage speeding, along with more sidewalks and more crosswalks, some of which will have flashing beacons. 

Central Avenue South will get upgraded sidewalks, new landscaping and trees and upgraded lighting.  

Additional work is planned for M Street Northeast and Columbia Way, with construction of the fourth phase scheduled for 2028. That involves, along with widening and repaving the road above ground, adding utilities underground. 

Other projects in the plan include extending some streets near Lauzier Park to connect with 13th Avenue Southwest and a walking trail from Lauzier Park to East Park on the other side of town.  

    Quincy’s Central Avenue is scheduled for new sidewalks and streetlights in the city’s six-year street plan.