HELEN - The Helen City Commission is continuing its efforts to make the tourist destination safer and more pedestrian friendly.
This week, the commission voted to purchase a dozen upright pedestrian signs, enough to go in each of the 10 crosswalks along Main Street (Georgia Highway 75).
The 12-by-44-inch breakaway signs bolt into the asphalt, providing point-of-crossing alerts to drivers. The city is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the signs.
Under an agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation, the signs must be removed around Dec. 1 and remain out of the highway until after winter weather season.
Commissioners said they are aware of at least two recent incidents where people were struck by vehicles, though they were minor in nature and police reports were not requested.
Even more of a concern, they say, are the near-misses with pedestrians that happen frequently in the city.
Commissioner Jeff Ash says city officials have been told for years this type sign can't be placed on a state highway, but seeing some in place while attending a graduation in Dahlonega prompted Helen to move forward.
"They do a wonderful job of marking their roads, so we very simply shot a picture and brought it back to Helen, Ga., said this is what we're going to do and you heard the motion," Ash says. "They'll be going up in two to three weeks, and that's just Phase 1 of pedestrian safety around here."
The commission also asked City Manager Jerry Elkins to purchase and have city crews install new highly-visible crosswalk signs along Edelweiss Street.
A request from Edelweiss Townhomes for a speed bump on Edelweiss Street between North Georgia Barbecue and Helen Waterpark was approved.
Also this week, contractors continued with work on The Island Project Phase 2, which has added new sidewalks where there were none and has created a paved city street near Bigg Daddy's and County Inn & Suites.
