As it is now darker out earlier and ice is already on the ground, just about everywhere in Oswego is not quite as safe. But nothing is quite as worrisome as walking along the side of Route 104 between campus and Lakeside Commons.
Lakeside Commons opened in October of 2017, presenting a new luxurious option for student housing. The complex is quite accessible by bus, and there is a hefty amount of parking spaces available. A shuttle operated by the property transports residents to and from campus, running from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays with a weekend shuttle taking residents downtown to West First St. on Friday and Saturday nights. However, for those who cannot drive, what happens when they stay on campus past 10 p.m. on a weekday, after the last campus shuttle? Or a non-resident is trying to get to Lakeside Commons to meet up with friends? Many students walk along the shoulder of Route 104.
When Assistant Chief of University Police Kevin Velzy was asked if this issue is of concern he said, “Very much so, mainly because I live in the town of Oswego and drive that route quite often, so I see the students walking.”
Velzy expressed more concern over the intersection at Thompson Road and Route 104. He emphasized turning left onto Thompson Road from the right lane going West, toward Lakeside Commons.
“The traffic behind the turning vehicle will not stop as they should. They instead pass on the shoulder of the roadway, which is a violation of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) section 1131,” Velzy said. “There is in fact a sign just before that intersection warning drivers not to drive on the shoulder; but they do it regardless.”
The other intersection that Velzy was concerned about was the Fruit Valley Veterinary Clinic at 7100 State Route 104.
Velzy noted that the business has one entrance and one exit which does help the flow of traffic but added, “When a vehicle is about to exit, and they are traveling west, it is a common habit among drivers to only look left to see if there is oncoming traffic before continuing. If they do not also look right, they might miss a pedestrian walking toward them.”
“There was one car-bicycle injury crash a couple of years ago in that area that I am aware of,” Velzy said. “Most of the traffic crashes we have responded to were at the intersection of Route 104 and Sweet Road at the main entrance to the campus.”
So while it looks like Lakeside Commons is not the main point of concern, every intersection between campus and Lakeside Commons is.
“I would like to add that everyone plays some role in their own safety … For this particular stretch of road, they need to be reminded that when walking along a roadway where there is no sidewalk, they must walk facing traffic,” Velzy sad. “If they are riding a bicycle, they must ride with traffic and obey the same rules as they would in a car.”
Photo by Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian
