Maryland congressman Chris Van Hollen has agreed to support the installation of a traffic light or other precautionary measures at the intersection of Pyle Road and River Road following the recent accident that claimed the lives of three members of the Whitman community.

Principal Alan Goodwin informed the community of the news in an email Feb. 29.

“I am thrilled to convey that Congressman Van Hollen’s office has assured me that they are 100 percent behind the effort to get a traffic signal installed at the River Road and Pyle Road intersection,” Goodwin wrote in his email. “They are fully convinced and are aggressively putting steps into motion.”

Van Hollen’s office has not yet decided what specific action will be taken to improve the safety of the intersection and could potentially just fill the the break in the median, preventing traffic crossing River Rd., Goodwin said.

Students are relieved by the state’s action, but some are disappointed with the circumstances necessary to see a change.

“It’s been dangerous for a very long time,” junior Olivia Doran said. “Turning there is very scary. I find it unfortunate that something horrible like this had to happen before someone actually did something about it.”

Goodwin shares students’ enthusiasm and eagerness for a safer intersection.

“They’re going to improve the safety of that intersection and I’m very excited about that,” he said. “I’m very anxious to know what they’re going to do. It’s long overdue.”