Salisbury Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve a safety and traffic study at the busy intersection of Emmaus Avenue and Seidersville Road to determine if a crosswalk is necessary.

Commissioner Robert Martucci Jr. said at the board's July 14 meeting that he had been contacted by two Salisbury residents who want a crosswalk at the intersection so they can safely walk from Daisy Hill Market on Emmaus Avenue to Bolete restaurant on Seidersville Road.

“Do we want people crossing that street?” asked Commissioner Norma Cusick.

She expressed concern over the heavy traffic in that area and that Seidersville Road is being used as an alternate route to get to Route 378 instead of Broadway in Fountain Hill.

Martucci pointed out there are stop signs at the intersection.

Commissioner James Brown asked about the laws concerning crosswalks.

Salisbury Township Police Chief Allen Stiles said although motorists are supposed to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk, the crosswalk does not offer much protection. He said stop signs and lights don't always stop motorists.

In addition to traffic, Cusick was concerned about setting a precedent for crosswalks all over the township. She said if the commissioners allowed a traffic study for a crosswalk because of two residents, there would be numerous individuals and groups asking for crosswalks all the time.

Brown said that any request for a crosswalk study would be done on a case-by-case basis.

Township Manager Randy Soriano concurred and said the commissioners can develop standards for allowing or disallowing a crosswalk study.