When five-year-old Sidney Olson was hit and killed by a truck while crossing the street in Elm Square earlier this month, street lines had not been repainted following repaving of Main Street through Downtown Andover.
That will change this weekend. Town Manager Andrew Flanagan said Friday the work is scheduled to be completed overnight on Sunday.
The crash has brought renewed pressure on Flanagan and other Andover officials to address long-standing safety concerns in Elm Square. While the signals were working properly when Olson was hit by a Sysco truck, they are currently programmed to allow traffic to turn right into crosswalks when walk lights are lit.
The girl’s family said in a statement the walk light was lit when she crossed the street.
Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe said Monday a preliminary investigation has ruled out speed as a factor in the May 9 crash. No charges have been filed. The driver stayed on scene and is cooperating with investigators.
WalkBikeAndover is collecting signatures for a petition demanding the immediate installation of “No Turn On Red” signs and programming traffic lights to turn red in all directions when walk signs are lit. To date, the Town has resisted those changes, prioritizing traffic flow through the intersection of Main and Elm Streets across from Memorial Hall Library.
Flanagan said changes to the signal timing would require state approval. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is conducting a road safety audit of Elm Square after state legislators representing Andover asked the state to “focus resources on improving pedestrian safety at the intersection” in a May 11 letter.