To the Journal editor:

Anyone driving on County Road 553 in the ski hall area PLEASE slow down and take extreme caution of pedestrians PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.

It has always been a precarious to cross, with speed limit 55, positioned at the bottom of hill in both directions for traffic. Now with the pandemic threat and nowhere indoors to dress and put on equipment, skiers are getting ski boots on at their cars and carrying equipment to the slopes, often with small children along, crossing this road. Ski boots are not built for walking, they are difficult to move in on any surface and if on ice become extremely hazardous.

I went to the young skiers races in early evening of Feb. 23, the parking lots were full and I witnessed parents crossing with young children, their arms loaded with equipment, all in ski boots, not a free hand to insure the young ones safety, while cars flew by at the allowable highway speed.

It was terrifying!

I was told there have been fatal accidents there in the past, personally I do not recall those statistics. If true and nothing has been done to alleviate the problem, woe is me to hoping this writing could possibly bring hope for a safety measure to reduce this hazard.

My suggested solution is drop speed to 35 and have flashing lights, like practiced in school zones. Marquette Mountain does offer learners ski school if officials need to bend the law for a recreational facility to be allowed this absolutely needed safety upgrade. Someone reading this may have a safer idea and be in a position to act upon it but in the event this letter goes nowhere, evidently the accident history didn’t work, drivers be alert and cautious. It is a terrible trap as it is and needs to be addressed.

PATRICIA LAKENEN

Marquette