Ocean Isle Beach brainstorms solutions for safe crosswalks

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — One Brunswick County beach town is brainstorming ways to keep pedestrians safer on the street. 

The Gatha Lane and Causeway Drive intersection sits just over Ocean Isle Beach’s bridge. An already busy hub with the park nearby is expected to gain more traffic with plans to build an on-island emergency response station in the future. 

In an effort to increase pedestrian safety, signs, flashing lights, and street markings will be installed. A push-button system will allow those crossing the street to activate the flashing lights and warn oncoming traffic. 

Mayor Debbie Smith said this is just another preventative step to keep the town safe. 

“The growth in the area paired with the tourism, the influx in the summer months, public safety is a priority for us,” Mayor Smith said. 

Crosswalk enhancements are expected to be completed during the summer season. But equipment delays may prolong that.