Safer roads a priority for some Ulster officials following pedestrian deaths

A recent spate of deadly crashes on state roadways in Ulster County has prompted conversations about pedestrian safety among state and local leaders.

Discussion most recently took place following the Jan. 23 death of Ray Rattray, a 22-year-old SUNY New Paltz student who was killed in a hit-and-run while walking home from class.

Rattray lived off campus and was on his way home shortly after 5 p.m. when he was struck by a passing vehicle along state Route 208, which borders the west end of campus.

The particular stretch of highway where Rattray was struck, less than half a mile long, is a popular route home for several dozen students living off-campus in that direction, but has no sidewalks or street lights.

The shoulder of the southbound lane is slightly wider and less overgrown with branches and greenery than that of the northbound lane, prompting some pedestrians to choose to walk only on that side, even if their back is to oncoming traffic.

Prioritizing pedestrian safety in wake of New Paltz student death

As a state highway, any changes to Route 208 are made at the discretion of the state Department of Transportation.

A petition was launched in the wake of Rattray's death, calling for sidewalks to be installed along that stretch of road and an analysis to be conducted of other New Paltz areas in need of sidewalks. As of Thursday, Feb. 8, the petition has 5,321 signatures.

“This is devastating and absolutely awful for New Paltz, the University community, and Ray’s family, rugby teammates, and friends,” New Paltz Village Mayor Tim Rogers said. “It is so painful to think how a tragedy like Ray's death is needed to emphasize why pedestrian safety must be an absolute priority.”

More: Sour Skittles, a necktie and a call for change: how New Paltz community is honoring a late student

Although Rattray’s death occurred just outside village bounds, Rogers said, the village faces similar challenges with pedestrian-heavy Main Street, which also constitutes part of state Route 299 and a pedestrian portion of the Empire State Trail. Roger emphasized the importance of improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure at the same caliber as car-centered infrastructure.

DOT officials declined to comment on the petition, but Heather M. Pillsworth, public information officer for the DOT’s Hudson Valley region, called safety a “top priority” of the department, highlighting its commitment to “promoting safety and accessibility for all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians.”

“NYSDOT continues to incorporate the principles of Complete Streets into our projects wherever practicable and we are always willing to engage in discussions with our local partners about potential safety enhancements along all state roadways,” Pillsworth said.

'Unless we do something, it will not be the last'

Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, who represents New Paltz and most of Ulster County in the 103rd District, said her office has been working with the DOT to improve road safety for all users.

“Our roads aren't designed with consideration for safety, especially for pedestrians and cyclists,” Shrestha said, citing three other people killed in Ulster County crashes in January.

Rattray’s death closely followed that of 21-year-old Starllie Swonyoung, a Saugerties pedestrian killed Jan. 10 in a hit-and-run on U.S. Route 9W near the hamlet of Malden. Two Kingston High School students – 17-year-old Jack Noble and 16-year-old Dillon Gokey — were killed Jan. 8 in a four-vehicle crash on state Route 28 in Shandaken.

“We’re always on the lookout for grants that municipalities can apply to fund projects that make roads safer or improve alternate modes of transport,” Shrestha said, but missing from the conversation on road safety is the topic of constructing “robust public transit statewide.”

“A dependence on cars is taken as a given, but we need to change that as well, because driving in general is a dangerous activity and we just expect everyone to do it every day,” Shrestha continued. “We need to offer affordable and practical alternatives.”

New Paltz Town Supervisor Neil Bettez shared in Shrestha’s enthusiasm for bolstering local means of public transit, but was not optimistic about requesting the DOT to lower the speed limit on state Route 208. The speed limit on the road varies, increasing from 40 mph to 55 mph near the stretch where Rattray was killed.

Bettez said the town has applied without success for several grants through the Ulster County Transportation Council to create a strategic plan for pedestrian and bicycle safety in New Paltz. Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger did not return requests for comment.

Construction began in October for the Henry W. Dubois Drive Pedestrian and Bicycle Project, which will open more than 30 miles of off-road cycling and hiking “to users of all ages and abilities” through the connection of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail.

Following Rattray’s death, Bettez said, he was told by the New Paltz police chief that this was not the first instance of a student suffering injury along that stretch of highway, “and I feel that unless we do something," Bettez said, "it will not be the last.”

New Paltz Police Chief Robert J. Lucchesi did not return requests for comment.

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: New Paltz student death shines light on pedestrian safety: What's next