Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The city of Steamboat Springs is asking walkers and drivers to be safe.

The city's Public Works Department is working to inform people about walking and driving with care. The informational effort may develop into an organized program, said Jim Weber, the city's director of public works.

"We do want to start an informational program to remind the community and our guests that we are pedestrian-friendly and that we do have a pedestrian-oriented downtown," Weber said Wednesday.

The information, which was listed on the City Page in Monday's Steamboat Today, promotes pedestrian and driver safety. It reminds pedestrians to take actions such as stopping at the curb and looking both directions, and it asks drivers to yield to pedestrians.

The safety issue was spurred by a January City Council meeting during which the council directed city staff to place pedestrian safety signs at the ends of downtown streets. City officials intend to work with the Colorado Department of Transportation to install at least two pedestrian safety signs. If a pedestrian awareness program evolves, Weber said, CDOT also would be involved.

Council member Paul Strong on Tuesday expressed concern about the proliferation of signs in the downtown area. He said he was OK with signs at crosswalks but that he did not want to see extra signs reminding drivers to be careful.

Council members also discussed the possibility of placing a crosswalk on Third Street between Wells Fargo Bank and the post office. Council member Kevin Kaminski said he was worried that such a crosswalk would lead to more traffic congestion in an already busy area.

Council member Susan Dellinger said she was interested in learning more about different ways to mark crosswalks because painted lines fade. Dellinger wondered whether there was a way to mark the crosswalks by indentation or some other method. Interim City Manager Wendy DuBord said city staff already was looking into it.

--o reach Dana Strongin, call 871-4229

or e-mail dstrongin@steamboatpilot.com.