The Holyoke Public Safety Committee on Dec. 15 recommended funding and engineering work to improve pedestrian safety at two North Hampton Street locations, approving rapid‑flashing beacons and lane‑guiding striping.

Chair Jenny Rivera read an interim engineer report that preliminarily found the North Hampton/Winthrop crosswalk suitable for rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), recommended replacement of curb ramps to meet ADA standards, and recommended appropriating $50,000 to fund the installation. A motion that the order had been complied with carried with all members voting in favor.

Councilor David Bartley, who filed related orders, said he was encouraged by the report and that “there’s some momentum to put the rapid flashing beacons there,” a remark the committee recorded as part of its discussion.

On a separate but related order about the North Hampton Street, Route 5 and Beach Street (Route 202) intersection, the city engineer recommended installing cat‑track striping (short dashed patterns that guide traffic lanes) to improve lane discipline. The committee accepted the engineer’s recommendation, marked the order complied and referred the striping work to the Department of Public Works for scheduling in the spring.

Engineering staff cautioned that additional physical changes at state‑owned sections of roadway could require MassDOT review and approval. The committee therefore limited immediate action to striping and scheduling, while noting that further improvements would require traffic data collection and any necessary interagency coordination.

The items will return to the committee if follow‑up engineering reports or MassDOT responses are required.