A McDaniel College student is asking state transportation officials to consider adding a pedestrian crosswalk at the intersection of Route 140 and Sullivan Road, citing safety concerns for students and other residents who regularly cross the busy highway.
McDaniel student and Westminster resident Kendall Saffran launched an online petition on June 3 advocating for the installation of a crosswalk near the new Sheetz convenience store on Route 140. The petition argues that students frequently cross the highway to access the store, particularly during evening and late-night hours.
According to Saffran, the issue has become more noticeable since Sheetz opened in April, when it became a popular destination for students seeking food and snacks outside campus dining hours. A Roy Rogers also sits on that side of Route 140, across Sullivan Road from the Sheetz.
The Route 140 and Sullivan Road intersection in Westminster.
"Lots of students, including myself, dart across the highway, usually late at night, for food and snacks," she said.
Saffran says the lack of a marked crossing creates safety concerns not only for pedestrians but also for motorists who may unexpectedly encounter people crossing the roadway.
"Since Sheetz is open 24/7, this is a constant problem. It's not just dangerous for the pedestrian but also for drivers as well," she said.
Beyond the immediate safety concerns, Saffran sees the issue as part of a broader effort to improve walkability in the city. "As a resident of Westminster who doesn't drive, I'm very keen on making Westminster as walkable and accessible as well," she said.
Saffran contacted the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) on May 1 to inquire about a crosswalk and says she has not received a response as of publication. Because Route 140 is a state highway, any decision regarding a crosswalk would ultimately fall under the authority of MDOT SHA.
The discussion comes as Westminster continues to see new commercial development along the Route 140 corridor, and with both The Willows and Village Square in various stages of the city approval process. Both of those new builds would be within one to two blocks of the crosswalk Saffran is lobbying for.
McDaniel College enrolls approximately 1,600 undergraduate students, with portions of the campus situated directly along Route 140.