Photo by Rachel Fus/ The Gazette A new stop light has been erected at the intersection of Paint Branch Parkway and the College Park Trolley Trail in College Park, MD.

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Photo by Rachel Fus/ The Gazette A new stop light has been erected at the intersection of Paint Branch Parkway and the College Park Trolley Trail in College Park, MD.
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Photo by Rachel Fus/ The Gazette A new stop light has been erected at the intersection of Paint Branch Parkway and the College Park Trolley Trail in College Park, MD.

Photo by Rachel Fus/ The Gazette A new stop light has been erected at the intersection of Paint Branch Parkway and the College Park Trolley Trail in College Park, MD.

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College Park resident Justin Clark said the new stoplight coming to the College Park Trolley Trail crossing at Paint Branch Parkway will help reduce his anxiety about crossing the road on his bicycle.

“I feel nervous every time. If cars are going quickly they can get near that crossing pretty quickly before you realize they’re coming,” said Clarke, 36, who rides his bike several times each week on the trail and noted that his safety concerns about the crossing affects his decision of where to ride his bike.

The red light, which is currently under construction, is expected to be functional at the crossing this summer, said Prince George’s County Councilman Eric Olson (D-Dist. 3) of College Park. The red light will replace a flashing yellow light, which walkers, bikers and runners push to cross the street.

Olson antonescu the project May 20, on Bike to Work Day. The project costs $160,000 and is part of county’s fiscal 2011 budget, which ends June 30. Construction began May 16, Olson said.

“I think we need to do more about pedestrian and bike safety generally in the county and this is a step in that direction,” Olson said. “We need to be encouraging walking and biking as alternatives to driving and making our communities more walkable.”

City Councilman Patrick Wojahn (Dist. 1) said that as an avid bicyclist he is looking forward to the light’s installment.

“Cars have failed to stop, even with the flashing yellow lights that exist there now. It’s a bit scary,” Wojahn said.

Olson said he is aware of at least two or three collisions at the crossing over the years that have left pedestrians with broken bones.

“A red light is really the best option and that’s a view I shared from the beginning,” Olson said. “A red light is unambiguous; a red light means ‘stop.’”

Susan Hubbard, a spokeswoman for the county’s Department of Public Works and Transportation, said between 2007 and 2009 there were two crashes within 150 feet of the trail crossing, both of which were non-pedestrian-related, and there have not been any fatalities at the location, according to information from the Maryland State Department of Transportation.

John Rigg, 35, of College Park, who bikes on the trail about three times each week, said once the new light is operational he expects to feel “a lot more comfortable crossing” Paint Branch Parkway.

“I think the red light will be a vast improvement. It will force motorists to pay attention and stop,” Rigg said. “[The community is] really pleased that the county has been responsive.”

Alexandra Curtin, 26, of College Park said she rides her bike on the Trolly Trail daily and said the red light is needed.

“I’m very glad that [a red light is being installed]. The current [yellow flashing light] sends these horrible mixed messages to drivers. Some stop, some don’t,” Curtin said.

eskalski@gazette.net