New traffic signal improves safety of University-Parks Trail users on King Road in Sylvania Township
(SYLVANIA TOWNSHIP, Ohio) - Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski welcomed bicyclists, runners, walkers and the rest of the community to see the new traffic light installed on King Road at the crossing for the University Parks Trail Wednesday. The traffic signal’s stop and go mode activated Monday and began servicing motorists and trail users.
Similar to the traffic lights installed at the UPT crossings at McCord Road and at North Holland Sylvania Road, this new addition will allow pedestrians and bicyclists using the trail to safely cross King Road with vehicular traffic stopped. The signal remains green for drivers on King Road until a user on the trail is detected by radar or presses the crosswalk button. The traffic signal will then transition from green on King Road to green on the UPT for 20-30 seconds.
“Installation of a signal on the well-traveled University Parks Trail to allow pedestrians and bicyclists a safer crossing over a major thoroughfare like King Road is an important improvement,” Pniewski said, “to protect our most vulnerable users of our transportation system. Thanks to funding from federal sources like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these types of improvements are now reality.”
Groups like We Are Traffic and Run Toledo believe the project is a welcome investment in the safety of those who use the trail and its importance to the community.
“We join all users of the University Parks Trail in saying thank you for this much needed safety improvement,” We Are Traffic member Keith Webb. “With plans to extend the trail westward to Centennial Road next year, we can only expect that more users will take advantage of our wonderful University Parks Trail.”
Metroparks Toledo, which patrols and performs basic maintenance on the UPT, sees the new signal as a sign of continued synergy between agencies and community groups to keep this asset safe and accessible for years to come.
“The University Parks Trail was the area’s first regional trail in our area, named to reflect its purpose of connecting the University of Toledo with several parks, including Wildwood Preserve,” Metroparks Toledo Director of Public Relations Scott Carpenter said. “Then and now, this and other trails like it are the result of cooperation between several agencies and organizations. It’s that spirit that led to these new signals and will eventually lead to extending the trail even further.”
Local elected officials like State Representative Michele Grim (D-43), State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-11) and Lucas County Commissioner Lisa Sobecki were also on hand to stress the importance of small projects like this making a big impact.
“This is a success for pedestrian trail users and the Lucas County community at large,” Rep. Grim said. “I am grateful to be a leader of an inspiring community that continues to put its full force behind projects that put people and their safety, first.”
“The University Parks Trail is another jewel for Lucas County residents created through the forward thinking partnership of the county, Metroparks, City of Toledo and University of Toledo,” Sen. Hicks-Hudson said. “I am thrilled to see the Lucas County Engineer’s foresight in installing this new traffic signal, helping to fulfill the mission of improving health and safety for Lucas County residents.
Similar to the traffic lights installed at the UPT crossings at McCord Road and at North Holland Sylvania Road, this new addition will allow pedestrians and bicyclists using the trail to safely cross King Road with vehicular traffic stopped. The signal remains green for drivers on King Road until a user on the trail is detected by radar or presses the crosswalk button. The traffic signal will then transition from green on King Road to green on the UPT for 20-30 seconds.
“Installation of a signal on the well-traveled University Parks Trail to allow pedestrians and bicyclists a safer crossing over a major thoroughfare like King Road is an important improvement,” Pniewski said, “to protect our most vulnerable users of our transportation system. Thanks to funding from federal sources like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these types of improvements are now reality.”
Groups like We Are Traffic and Run Toledo believe the project is a welcome investment in the safety of those who use the trail and its importance to the community.
“We join all users of the University Parks Trail in saying thank you for this much needed safety improvement,” We Are Traffic member Keith Webb. “With plans to extend the trail westward to Centennial Road next year, we can only expect that more users will take advantage of our wonderful University Parks Trail.”
Metroparks Toledo, which patrols and performs basic maintenance on the UPT, sees the new signal as a sign of continued synergy between agencies and community groups to keep this asset safe and accessible for years to come.
“The University Parks Trail was the area’s first regional trail in our area, named to reflect its purpose of connecting the University of Toledo with several parks, including Wildwood Preserve,” Metroparks Toledo Director of Public Relations Scott Carpenter said. “Then and now, this and other trails like it are the result of cooperation between several agencies and organizations. It’s that spirit that led to these new signals and will eventually lead to extending the trail even further.”
Local elected officials like State Representative Michele Grim (D-43), State Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-11) and Lucas County Commissioner Lisa Sobecki were also on hand to stress the importance of small projects like this making a big impact.
“This is a success for pedestrian trail users and the Lucas County community at large,” Rep. Grim said. “I am grateful to be a leader of an inspiring community that continues to put its full force behind projects that put people and their safety, first.”
“The University Parks Trail is another jewel for Lucas County residents created through the forward thinking partnership of the county, Metroparks, City of Toledo and University of Toledo,” Sen. Hicks-Hudson said. “I am thrilled to see the Lucas County Engineer’s foresight in installing this new traffic signal, helping to fulfill the mission of improving health and safety for Lucas County residents.
