Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay has written a letter to the state Department of Transportation (DOT) calling for increased traffic safety measures after the tragic death of a young girl on Route 11. On April 1st, 12-year-old Aunamarie M. Mahnken was struck by a vehicle while crossing the roadway outside Central Square Middle School. She died from her injuries two days later. Community members and local officials have renewed calls for immediate action to prevent future tragedies.

Last week, the Oswego County Legislature passed a resolution calling on DOT to conduct a comprehensive review of pedestrian safety along Route 11, an issue residents and local officials have raised for many years.

“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski). “We owe it to Aunamarie, her family, classmates and the entire community to take a hard look at what can be done to prevent another tragedy. Route 11 has been a point of concern for years. Further safety measures must be seriously considered and implemented.”

Among those advocating for enhanced safety is Oswego County Legislator John Martino, who, along with students and other community members, has repeatedly contacted DOT representatives to push for improvements.

One solution under consideration is the assignment of a crossing guard to better protect pedestrians, particularly during high-traffic hours. Following Aunamarie’s death, DOT has initiated a traffic study at the entrance of Central Square Middle School. The town of Hastings is pushing the agency to consider all potential solutions, including changes to traffic patterns, installation of traffic lights or the placement of a crossing guard.