Milton crosswalk painting set April 21-22

The Town of Milton is set to undergo painting of two new crosswalks as part of the town’s efforts to improve pedestrian safety and encourage community engagement.

The crosswalks to be painted are at Federal and Mulberry streets, with the first crosswalk to be painted Monday, April 21, and the second to be done Tuesday, April 22. 

Councilwoman Randi Meredith, who spearheaded the first batch of painted crosswalks in 2022, said the painting event is weather dependent, as paint cannot be applied until it is above 50 degrees outside and painting cannot be done if it rains the day before or if there is rain in the forecast. Meredith said if the work has to be rescheduled, it would be for later in the week. She said motorists are encouraged to use Chestnut and Union streets to get around Milton during the painting days.

Meredith said these crosswalks were supposed to be part of the original batch in 2022, but the town received grant funds to update the handicapped access and change the style of crossing, so the Federal/Mulberry street intersection crosswalks were dropped for two others. Much like the other crosswalk paintings, the project is being funded through a grant from AARP. 

Painting work is expected to begin at 9 a.m. and go until 5 p.m. on both days. Volunteers can drop in at their leisure. Meredith said at least 20 volunteers are needed for the first set of crosswalks because it is one of the largest sets of crosswalks in town. While the second set of crosswalks is smaller, more hands are still needed, she said. 

The work will be physically demanding; the first two coats of paint are scrubbed on with brushes, then the third and fourth coats go on with rollers. Every line of the crosswalks will have to be duct taped, as Delaware Department of Transportation regulations only allow for painting within the crosswalk lines. Meredith said volunteers who want to help with taping the lines can come at 7:30 a.m. the day of painting. They’re asked to bring a pocket knife. She said there will be an hour break for lunch around noon that will also allow time for the paint to dry.  

Once this project is done, the number of painted crosswalks in town will be 14. Meredith said the benefits of painting the crosswalks include providing an opportunity to remind drivers that they are required to stop for pedestrians by law, encouraging drivers to walk around town and help build community. 

“We are trying to maintain our small-town feel in the face of rapid population growth and land development,” she said. “This can be achieved in part through traffic-calming measures that showcase a desire for safe multi-modal traffic, through the expansion of Milton’s reputation as an arts and artisans’ community, and by reminding drivers that because Milton has narrow, 18th century streets, there is a need to adopt driving behaviors that place safety at the forefront when navigating our historic small-town environment.”

Should the paintings need to be rescheduled due to weather, prospective volunteers can go to randimeredith.com/paintingday for updates.