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Council backs staff plan to install HAWK crosswalk this spring using existing mast arm
Summary
Public works staff proposed using an existing county mast arm to hang a HAWK pedestrian signal at Fort Union Boulevard near Mountain View Park; staff said the county can install it this spring for under $40,000, delivering the safety improvement faster than the federal‑aid process, which would take about two years.
Public works staff told the council they can accelerate pedestrian safety improvements at the Fort Union Boulevard crossing near Mountain View Park by using an existing mast arm rather than awaiting federal funds.
Matt (public works) reviewed the history: the location was initially considered for a federally funded HAWK signal but was changed to a flashing beacon during the federal process because of proximity to the roadway and funding restrictions. He said staff investigated alternatives and — crediting staff member Adam Ginsberg for the idea — found that the city and county can use an existing traffic signal mast arm and hang HAWK hardware on it. County staff provided a preliminary install quote that Matt said is less than $40,000, and the city could complete the work this spring rather than waiting two years for a federal program award.
Matt framed the recommendation as a time‑and‑cost trade‑off: a local install on the existing structure would deliver the HAWK signal quickly for roughly the same city match amount as participating in the federal process but without the extended schedule and the risk of subsurface unknowns that drove cost escalation on a prior nearby HAWK project.
Council members expressed support for the accelerated approach and discussed aesthetic details (powder‑coated black mast arm vs. existing finish). Staff said they will withdraw the pending federal aid application for this location, proceed with cooperative county installation, and keep council updated on schedule and final cost.
