The university's Agricultural College Council has started a petition to get a traffic light installed at the intersection of Library Avenue and Farm Lane. Over 1,000 signatures have been gathered in favor of the traffic light to reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities at the intersection.
Senior Vince Baldanza, president of AgCC said the petition debuted at a council fundraiser held at the Cereal Bowl on April 17.
"We had 150 signatures by the end of the night, which we were really excited about," Baldanza said.
Senior Dan Lantz, the vice president of AgCC, said there was a lot of support for the petition from the community.
"I didn't run in to anyone that wouldn't sign it," Lantz said. "The Ag school, Ag school alumni and locals the were the most passionate about it, but no one refused to sign it."
Four days after the petition was started, a four-car accident happened at the very intersection being petitioned.
Lantz said some cars traveling on Library Avenue travel at speeds of 60 miles per hour and over when the posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour.
"It's not just a danger to those trying to cross the intersection," he said. "It is also dangerous for anyone trying to turn on to Farm Avenue because people pass them at really high speeds."
Lantz said when the petition was first proposed in early April, the AgCC took it and ran with it. He said from there it was a matter of gathering signatures and support from the community.
Lantz said he also worked hard to get testimonials from individuals who had been involved in an accident at the intersection.
The petition and testimonials, cover letters from the AgCC and from the Dean of the Ag School as well as a slide show presentation about the intersection will be sent to city and state departments and officials, he said.
Marcy Troeber, a research associate in the department of animal and food sciences, said she heard about the petition through an e-mail message to the department and decided to get involved. She said that the petition has been met with a lot of support from the community.
"Everyone has been very thankful and happy to have something done about it," Troeber said. "This isn't the first time the issue has been brought up, but to my knowledge, it has the strongest support."
She said the overall goal for the petition is to get a stoplight installed however, even a flashing yellow light would even be an improvement.
Currently, the intersection has a small sign that displays drivers' speeds and the posted speed limit.
Troeber said if the petition does not succeed, they will keep trying.
"We will continue to rally support, keep trying, keep the ball rolling and keep the letters going until something is done," she said.
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