New pedestrian signal brings better connectivity for people crossing SR 503
VANCOUVER – People who walk or roll will soon have a safer way to cross State Route 503 with the help of a new signal and crossing location.
The Washington State Department of Transportation plans to build a HAWK (High intensity Activated crossWalK) pedestrian signal, creating safer access for pedestrians crossing SR 503 to and from Prairie High School and the nearby transit stop.
On Jan. 6, 2023, a 14-year-old student was struck by a vehicle while crossing SR 503, not in a marked crossing, near Prairie High School. Following this incident, WSDOT worked with Prairie High School to conduct pedestrian surveys to identify the best location for another controlled crossing. The new HAWK crossing will be located just south of Northeast 116th Street, immediately east of the high school. It will also include a refuge island to give pedestrians a safe place to wait at the half-way point before completing their crossing.
“We’re excited to bring this safety improvement project so students can get to school more safely,” said WSDOT Transportation Engineer Jacob Whitfield. “We’re looking forward to adding another crossing option across SR 503 to better serve the area, while also keeping drivers moving.”
This $1.1 million project is scheduled to begin and complete construction in early 2025.
What is a HAWK signal?
The HAWK signal is a traffic control device used to provide a safer crossing for pedestrians, without holding up traffic. Different from a traditional traffic signal, a HAWK signal is only activated when a pedestrian pushes the crossing button. When there are no pedestrians, vehicles can move without interruption.
An activated HAWK signal will operate in a sequence of flashing lights. When drivers encounter the lights, they should treat them like any other traffic signal, slowing on yellow and stopping on solid red. During the flashing red interval, drivers should stop and then proceed through the crossing area only if it is safe to do so without posing any risk to pedestrians.
Pedestrians can switch on the HAWK signal by pushing the button at either end of the crossing. The lights on the pedestrian signal will show when it is safe to cross. A visual traffic signal benefits both drivers and pedestrians in helping determine who has the right of way and when it’s safe to proceed.
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Someone is going to get killed plain and simple. People fly through that corridor….everyone. If you are heading South and the light is green at Winco you’re going to be flying thru the intersection and…..then those lights on that crosswalk are activated……you bet. The vehicle flying thru the intersection is now heading straight for anyone in that crosswalk. Put up an overhead crosswalk, tunnel anything else. The same style crosswalk in used in Hazel Dell and the same condition exists…people are flying in both directions on Hwy 99. People today just do not pay attention and they simply have no regard. Bad idea for that stretch of road. The traffic signal at the preceding intersection should be coordinated with the crosswalk activation…..maybe they thought of that one.