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Crosswalk not in plan at hospital Since a pedestrian was fatally struck by a car while crossing Barnett Road in Medford to go to work at Rogue Valley Medical Center in 1997, the city has installed a tree-lined island in the middle of the road. The trees make it difficult for motorists to see employees as they use the island as a refuge. It seems to be setting the stage for another tragedy. Since such a large number of RVMC employees cross this road at this spot, why doesn't the city install a crosswalk with signals for the hospital? -- Bev F., Medford The mid-block crossing may not be the safest around, but a crosswalk alone wouldn't help -- and a signal is unlikely. That's the word from Cory Crebbin, Medford's public works director, who cites studies that show drivers are more likely to miss traffic devices that show up in unexpected places. Engineers fear if they put a crosswalk in the middle of the intersection, motorists will just ignore it. And a crosswalk would compound the problem, Crebbin says, by giving employees a false sense of comfort as they're crossing the road. A signal might be harder to ignore, but Crebbin said the site probably doesn't meet national standards for a signal. The standards, outlined in a volume known as the "Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices," sets criteria for signals, including traffic volume, delays and accident history. The ideal solution would be a skywalk over the road, Crebbin said. But skywalks are expensive -- about $250,000 -- and the city doesn't have that much money to accommodate a single enterprise, Crebbin said. If the hospital wanted to build a skywalk, the city would work with it, he said. Until that happens, his suggestion to RVMC employees: Take an extra minute or two, and cross at the corner. (Send your questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; or by fax to (541) 776-4376; or by e-mail to: [email protected] Please include your name, address and phone number for verification.) Today's News Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA