Residents at Mickley Gardens petitioned the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners on Monday to do whatever is necessary to make it safer for children to cross heavily traveled Mechanicsville Road near the Whitehall-Coplay School District campus and township library.

John Vincler presented the commissioners with a petition signed by 65 Mickley Garden residents to assist children crossing Mechanicsville Road from their homes to activities on the school grounds or library.

Vincler said there are 85 homes on the east side of Mechanicsville road and 50 children living there.

"You cannot walk to the library and school without putting your life in danger," Vincler said, adding "We cannot get to any school activity safely."

Township Engineer Frank Clark said Mechanicsville Road is a state road. Clark, the commissioners and Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. agreed PennDOT should be contacted with residents' concerns. Clark cautioned PennDOT often is reluctant to change.

Some of the recommendations residents made include painting crosswalks, adding signs and yellow posts in the center of the road to note it is a school zone.

Jeff Warren suggested having lighted signs to advise motorists of children crossing and getting Whitehall-Coplay School District on board.

Currently, flashing lights notify motorists of a 15 mph speed limit when children are arriving to or leaving school.

Commissioners President Linda Snyder said the township will address the residents' concerns by having Clark approach PennDOT.