Four months after a five-year-old girl was hit and killed while crossing the street, Andover unveiled the first of what are expected to be several pedestrian safety upgrades in Elm Square.
As of Monday, traffic will be stopped in all directions when walk signs are lit and southbound traffic turning from North Main Street to Central and northbound traffic turning from Main Street onto Elm Street will no longer be able to turn on red. Those two fixes, according to transit experts and advocates, will likely have the biggest impact on pedestrian safety in Elm Square.
Additional, forthcoming “short-term” safety fixes include eliminating of parking spots to improve sight lines and relocating of crosswalks and stop signs. The changes were recommended in MassDOT’s safety study of the intersection stemming from the May 9 death of Sideny Olson.
Olson’s family said the walk lights were lit when she was hit and killed by a truck turning right while crossing the street in Elm Square.
Photo: Dave Copeland/Andover News