City staff told the Traffic Safety Committee that the Sunset–Timbrell pedestrian-safety project — a pedestrian hybrid beacon (often called a HAWK or PHB) — remains on schedule for pavement and markings before school starts but that signal equipment delivery and a transformer tie-in are delaying full activation.
Staff said contractors will complete ramps and pavement markings before students return; staff then will await delivery of the pole and HAWK signal equipment. ‘‘The lead times are just like, you quoted for your project is November, and we're getting, like, a December delivery date for that,’’ a staff speaker said of equipment lead times.
Nut graf: The city plans a two-phase approach intended to minimize tree removal and to educate the community about how the new pedestrian hybrid beacon will operate. Staff said they are consulting with the City of Tigard for outreach templates and will use reader boards and public-service announcements to explain flashing-red behavior.
Staff described a two-phase tree-removal plan in which only three trees that conflict with underground utilities would be removed initially; a second review after the signal installation will determine whether additional removals are necessary. Staff estimated worst-case earlier designs suggested as many as 20 trees might be affected, but current plans reduce that number and aim to preserve canopy where possible.
The project also requires additional electrical work. Staff said crews must tap an existing transformer because there are no nearby power meters on that stretch, and that the cost of new transformer capacity typically is split between the utility’s infrastructure labor and project costs. Staff said they are coordinating with the utility and with the county on outreach and timing.
Staff noted safety concerns that might arise from the flashing-red interval of the beacon; county and peer-city contacts told staff there were minimum red-flash durations they could not shorten below one to two seconds for safety and equipment reasons. Because a flashing red can be perceived as an all-stop signal, staff said public education will be essential.
Ending: Staff said they will continue outreach before activation, will stage construction to minimize tree loss, and will report installation timing once equipment delivery is confirmed.