Town to spend $7,200 on first one

The Town of Tryon received approval from the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) to stamp its crosswalks to match bricks in its downtown sidewalks.

Tryon Town Council met Tuesday, April 16 and approved spending an estimated $7,200 stamping the main crosswalk between the clock tower near the St. Luke’s Plaza.

Interim town manager Joey Davis said after numerous requests over the last five years, DOT authorized the town’s request to stamp and stain the crosswalks, to be done in a half basket-weave brick-colored pattern like the sidewalks.

Each crosswalk will need separate encroachment approval from the DOT with the town receiving the approved signed encroachment for the Rotary clock tower crosswalk initially.

The town will be responsible for the implementation, maintenance and future replaced of the stamped asphalt with DOT responsible for thermopainting and white striping the edged lines.

Davis said he has received cost information from Ruth Oliver of KRO Construction out of Charlotte, who did Landrum’s stamped crosswalks and is the nearest provider for the service.

The stamped crosswalk with measure 12 feet in width by approximately 32 feet in length.

Commissioner George Baker said he wants the crosswalks to be bright so it will be visible enough for drivers to slow down through town.

Tryon Economic Development Director Crys Armbrust said the construction will be a cost per day for the stamping and there will be some variation with the other crosswalks which are more narrow and can be done more quickly. Armbrust estimated that the price for the remaining crosswalks could be less than the initial one.

Commissioner Wim Woody asked that the town request to get rid of the crosswalk sign that currently takes up a parking space. Armbrust said they could ask DOT to remove it.