A crosswalk connecting the Shining Sea Bikeway and Goodwill Park across Palmer Avenue in Falmouth, MA should be installed to allow safer cyclist and pedestrian transit between these two high use recreational resources. 

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A crosswalk here is a top priority of the Falmouth Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, and has been endorsed by Falmouth's Board of Selectmen and Traffic Advisory Committee. Please see our video, which demonstrates the urgent community need for this crosswalk. 

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Currently, walkers and bikers wishing to get between the park on the bikepath must wait on the side of the road until either there is a break in the traffic or drivers take it upon themselves to stop and let them cross the street. 

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Palmer Avenue is a state road. Falmouth officials will therefore need construction permits from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Crosswalks cannot be permitted in speed zones above 35mph. In December of 2018, at the request of the town, MassDOT lowered the speed limit on the stretch of Palmer Ave alongside Goodwill Park from 45mph to 35mph. In June, DPW officials said there is no funding in place for the project, and that final permits are still not in hand. The town has been in the permitting process with the state for three years now. It's time to get this project built! 

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                                                                         - Elizabeth Saito