By Mary O’KEEFE

A newly lighted crosswalk is in store for Foothill Boulevard at Glenwood Avenue it was announced at Thursday’s Crescenta Valley Town Council meeting.

For months council member Robbyn Battles has worked with Los Angeles Department of Public Works and the California Highway Patrol on methods to make   the crosswalk safer. Students from La Crescenta Elementary and Crescenta Valley High School use the busy intersection. At a recent field trip to the area, Battles along with public works and CHP representatives saw first hand how dangerous the crosswalk can be with cars speeding by and kids attempting to cross.

“A month ago CHP Officer Ming-Yang hsu joined me at the crosswalk and it was scary,” Battles said. “Public works put into a grant that we needed a lighted crosswalk like the one near (Orchard Supply Hardware).”

Notification of the grant approval will be some time in October however Battles said public works has assured her that, grant or not, the lighted crosswalk will be installed.

Pedestrian safety was an issue at the meeting not only with Battles but a family who now knows all too well how dangerous streets can be in Crescenta Valley.

Mike and Eunice Yeon spoke about their 13-year-old daughter Angie who was struck by a hit and run vehicle while crossing Ramsdell Avenue just north of Foothill Boulevard on June 1.

“Some of you know why I am here,” Mike said to the council. “[Angie suffered] multiple fractures of her leg. It is fortunate it was just the leg but unfortunate that this had to happen.”

With his wife at his side, it was obvious that the memory of telling how a car had struck his daughter brought back some painful emotions. Mike said Angie was doing better, but he was concerned that if something wasn’t done to protect pedestrians another tragic accident could occur.

“From Orange Avenue down to Foothill (Boulevard), the cars fly down hill,” he said.

He and his wife have spoken to many parents and to Rosemont Middle School Principal Cynthia Livingston.

“They [all] say we should do something,” he said.

CVTC President Cheryl Davis said she would work with Battles to find a solution.

“This is Robbyn’s passion,” she told the Yeons.

Battles has already spoken to the couple and will be working on finding solutions to make the area less hazardous. She has already met with county public works and CHP at Rosemont Middle School and is in discussion with them to find safer paths for pedestrians and to provide more traffic control.

  Mary Okeefe