While school crossing guards were mobilized recently for the opening of Bethlehem schools to protect community children, no crossing guards have been available to make sure senior citizens and the disabled can safely cross Westgate Drive.

That is until now.

Passing motorists couldn’t help but notice the T-Rex accompanying Lutheran Manor residents last week as they continue their safety walk at the intersection of Westgate and Bathgate drives where they have asked for a lighted crosswalk and a lower speed limit.

“We are out here because this intersection is very dangerous,” said Lutheran Manor resident and group organizer Richard Harding. “I’ve almost been sideswiped several different times. One time I got knocked over and my groceries went all over the street,” Harding said.

“I can move fast but this scares the heck out of me,” said Sharon Jones, another one of the safety walkers. “We are trying to get some kind of crossing light here.”

Lutheran Manor “Walker” organizer Linda Ostrander stood at the nearby bus stop gathering signatures on a petition in support of the lower speed limit. Muhlenberg Hospital workers, area nursing home employees and residents ride the bus that stops about 50 feet from the crosswalk.

“We have a lot of people who come by in the morning to go to the hospital to get to work and they wave and let us know they support us,” Ostrander said.

“We will be out here again,” said Amy (T-Rex) Zanelli, the Democratic candidate for Lehigh County Commissioner District 3. Zanelli has been an advocate for the “Walkers” since April, when they met at a senior fair at Westgate Mall.

Zanelli helped the residents develop a letter writing campaign and appeared with them before Bethlehem City Council and the Citizens Traffic Advisory Committee. City officials say they won’t pay for the estimated $20,000 for a crossing light, so the residents are trying to raise the money themselves through an online donation site: https://www.youcaring.com/lindaostranderandthewalkers-917478

For more information about the petition or to help with this effort, contact Richard Harding at r.harding@ymail.com.

Contributed article