George Street crossing gets lights, while Xcel project is delayed again

A busy pedestrian crossing in north La Crosse could become a little safer soon. 

Flashing crossing lights have been approved for the intersection of George and Logan Streets by the La Crosse board of public works. 

A survey of traffic at the crossing shows that about 150 pedestrians may cross George Street on a typical day. 

Two young children were hit and injured by a car at that intersection back in November, in a hit-and-run incident.

In other business, the board will wait at least one more week before deciding whether Xcel Energy can replace some power lines through the La Crosse River marsh. 

The citizens’ group Friends of the Marsh is concerned that the permitting process is moving too quickly, and it does not want to see trees or wildlife disrupted. 

Xcel spokesman Mike Herro tells the board that he didn’t even receive permits from different government bodies until about a month ago. 

The Xcel project was first presented to the board at the beginning of February.