Last month, Mickle’s Pickles owner Mickey Fluitt was hit by a car at the intersection of Goodyear Boulevard and Hwy. 11 in Picayune.
Fluitt said he generally travels by foot in the downtown area near his business.
In an earlier Item article, Fluitt said he hoped his misfortune would inspire city leaders to research pedestrian crosswalk installation in the area.
Picayune’s Public Works Director Eric Morris said the city has been in contact with the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
“We are waiting for officials to return our phone calls for further discussion about the intersection at Hwy. 11 and Goodyear Boulevard,” Morris said.
According to Morris, Hwy. 11 is a state maintained roadway as is the case with traffic lights.
“We are trying to determine when and where a crosswalk is required,” Morris said. “There are a number of criteria that needs to be in place before moving forward including traffic signals, traffic counts and requirements of the federal highway administration.”
Gabe Faggard is MDOT’s District Six Construction Engineer and said municipalities have the option of presenting a project proposal package.
“MDOT reviews the proposals and determines funding,” Faggard said. “MDOT funds a number of projects including crosswalks and sidewalks.”
Faggard said the installation of crosswalks and sidewalks go hand in hand.
“There has to be an ADA accessible ramp at each end of the crosswalk,” Faggard said.