Neighborhood asks Springville Council to install HAWK signal at Canyon Road crossing by high school

Three neighborhood residents asked the Springville City Council during public comment to add a HAWK pedestrian signal at the Canyon Road crossing near Springville High School to improve safety for students and other pedestrians.

The residents said they met with city staff, reviewed planned improvements and concluded a HAWK signal — a button-activated overhead signal that briefly stops traffic to allow pedestrians to cross — is the most feasible safety improvement now. They gave the city a petition with about 80 signatures from immediate neighbors in support of the device.

The request matters because many students and residents cross the intersection daily, they told the council, and the neighborhood has experienced at least one fatal collision at or near the crossing. “The conclusion that we came to as a neighborhood was the thing that we think would actually be viable or feasible, from a cost perspective, a time perspective ... was to install a hawk light,” said resident Dane Uriano during public comment.

Licensed civil engineer and resident Tyler Remond said the engineered geometry of the new intersection would create visibility and approach issues for pedestrians. “This new intersection, to cross one time, you'll have traffic coming from five different directions,” Remond said, describing how turning lanes and traffic buildup can block drivers’ sight lines to pedestrians. Remond estimated a HAWK signal would cost roughly $80,000 and cited a Federal Highway Administration–linked study of Tucson installations showing large reductions in pedestrian crashes.

Neighbor Jolene Mains described witnessing the aftermath of a fatal pedestrian crash involving a Springville High student and told the council she supported the HAWK signal to provide safer, momentary stops without creating a permanent traffic signal. “It would allow the traffic flow to be more efficient on Canyon Road because when the button is not pushed, the traffic flows unimpeded,” Mains said.

City staff were identified by residents as having reviewed several mitigation measures already — including lane narrowing and a reduced speed limit — and having discussed options with the neighborhood at a meeting on Sept. 3. Residents asked staff to consider incorporating a HAWK signal into the ongoing intersection project or to study it further.

Mayor pro tem said the council could not take formal action during the public comment portion but that the city would continue discussions and follow up with those who spoke. Staff member Troy was asked to speak with residents after the meeting and the petition and diagrams were collected by city staff.

No formal motion or vote was taken at the meeting. The council recorded the public comment and indicated staff would evaluate the request and return with options.

The petition, the neighborhood’s estimate and the cited study were provided to city staff at the meeting; the council asked residents to submit the petition and supporting materials to staff for follow-up.

Ending: The council acknowledged the urgency of pedestrian safety at the crossing but made no immediate commitment; staff follow-up and any formal staff recommendation would come in a later meeting or administrative report.