Meridian Police Department seeks solution to Pedestrians crossing the Interstate

Pedestrian crossing I-20 has become a known issue here in The Queen City with the most recent incident taking place earlier this month where a man was severely injured on I-20 by an 18-wheeler. The problem has been so consistent that the Meridian Police Department has reached out to the Mississippi Department of Transportation for help. Sgt. Lubers tells us more.

"Every time we've had a major incident on the interstate involving people crossing and being struck by vehicles or accident construction team has reached out to end up locally where it has gone from that point where we don't know," said Lubers.

To prevent pedestrians the ability to cross the interstate the meridian police department has reached out to MDOT to see about possibly putting up a four-foot fence on the medians from the exits.

"I do understand that the engineer has made a comment that he has not been notified of the situation and that he's going to look into it to see about getting a fence put up, which we are very pleased to hear and are happy with that," stated Lubers.

We hear from some Meridian residents on if having a fence put up to prevent pedestrian crossing is a good idea.

Craig Evans said," Yea, I mean if it’ll save lives then why not, sounds like a good idea to me."

"Yes, I think it will be a lot safer and people would think about things more," said Gwendolyn Moore.

Since 2019 four pedestrians have been killed crossing the interstate stated Sgt. Lubers and says the main goal for the department is to help keep the public safe.

"For anyone walking don’t cross the interstate. It's very dangerous. Try to go to one of our overpasses to walk across. Drivers just be situationally aware of your surroundings of people walking, other traffic. Don't be on your phone or any other kind of distraction," said Sgt.Lubers.