When Westminster Wire reported on a local student’s push for a crosswalk near the new Sheetz on Route 140, the comment sections filled up fast.
The post in the Carroll County, MD, Online Community Facebook group drew more than 100 reactions and comments in 24 hours. On Instagram and TikTok, hundreds more weighed in. The dominant sentiment thus far: pedestrian safety on Route 140 is overdue, and Sullivan Road is just one of several intersections where people feel unsafe.
The red light running problem
The thread that appeared most consistently across platforms wasn't about the crosswalk itself; it was about red light running. Multiple commenters said the existing signal at Sullivan Road is routinely ignored at speed.
"The amount of cars on 140 that run that red light is insane," one Instagram commenter wrote. Another replied that they "almost got T-boned by a semi running the light a good 3-4 seconds after going red." A third wrote that they watch "blatant light running every day at this intersection from people doing 60/70 mph."
On Facebook, one commenter said she waits for up to four cars to clear the red before she proceeds through the intersection herself.
Several commenters called for a red light camera as a prerequisite or an accompaniment to any crosswalk.
Route 140 pedestrian safety beyond Sullivan Road
The reaction also surfaced demand for crosswalks at other points along 140.
One Instagram commenter called for one at 140 and Nursery Road near Winters Mill, drawing 20 likes. Another cited 140 and Gorsuch Road as a spot where they frequently see people crossing unsafely, pulling 14 likes.
On Facebook, one commenter noted that she had already contacted the Maryland State Highway Administration about safety at the 140/Meadow Branch intersection and that SHA is currently investigating.
One Instagram commenter was more pointed about who they felt gets left out of infrastructure decisions: "Only the new ritzy neighborhoods get that.”
Those who said no to a crosswalk
Not everyone was on board. Several commenters argued the intersection is simply too dangerous for a ground-level crossing, with or without markings.
On Instagram, one person said they "wouldn't want to walk anywhere near it" given the volume and speed of traffic since Sheetz opened. Another on TikTok said they had watched multiple accidents at the intersection and wouldn't cross there even with a crosswalk. "It's still not going to keep anyone safe. People run that red light all the time," one Facebook commenter wrote.
One TikTok commenter questioned the demand entirely: "Almost 0 foot traffic. So you're going to delay traffic on busy 140 for a handful of people? No thanks."
Others offered a middle position, not opposed to safer pedestrian infrastructure in general, but skeptical that this particular spot is the right place for it. "Not a place to be crossing, with a crosswalk or not," one Instagram commenter wrote.
When access to the Westminster Community Pond next to the Sheetz was mentioned, an Instagram commenter replied, “So, you want a crosswalk for people with children and animals to cross over to the park?! Yeah right! Get in the car and drive there!”
"Get a car," and not wanting to "wait for poor people to cross."
On TikTok, when Westminster Wire noted that many students and residents don't have cars, one commenter replied simply: "Get a car." Another wrote: "So sounds like it's their problem, not mine… who tf cares."
One commenter went further: "If you want MTO that bad, get an Uber or DoorDash it. Traffic will become more congested for all us car owners on our way to work if we have to wait for poor people to cross the street."
On Facebook, one commenter told people without cars to take a taxi.
Should Sheetz have paid for it?
A pointed argument emerged on Facebook: pedestrian infrastructure should have been a condition of approving the Sheetz development in the first place. "A crosswalk should have been built in order for the Sheetz to be built," one commenter wrote, drawing 11 likes. Another added that Sheetz should foot the bill.
Residents discussed 140 fatalities
One Facebook comment carried particular weight: "A friend of mine was struck and killed at that exact spot over 20 years ago. There should be multiple crossover bridges at various locations on 140. This has been needed for a very long time."
On Instagram, another commenter echoed the sentiment: "Westminster needs to work on their road safety in so many ways. I should not personally know multiple people who have died trying to cross streets in Westminster."
The bigger picture
Several commenters used the crosswalk debate as a jumping-off point for the broader walkability question. "It would realistically only take a few miles of sidewalk and crosswalk to turn the entirety of Westminster walkable," one Instagram commenter wrote. "Think of how hot of a commodity walkable cities are and how it would take such a small investment." On Facebook, another put it plainly: "Intersections like this make it effectively illegal to leave home unless you are in a car."
A third commenter on Instagram wrote that the problem isn't new: "Westminster has never been pedestrian-friendly. For years, I've seen kids walking to school crossing front yards that border main roads where a sidewalk should be."
At the time of publication, the petition for the Route 140 and Sullivan Road crosswalk has 74 signatures, and the local debate about overall pedestrian safety seems far from over.