Public works outlines crosswalk upgrades at Brighton High, cautions on dedicated turn lane cost and property impacts

Public Works Director Matt Shipp briefed the Cottonwood Heights City Council on April 21 about recent pedestrian safety improvements near Brighton High and options raised by the school community council, including a request for a dedicated right‑turn lane.

Shipp said the crosswalk was moved in 2021 to align with school access, that rapid‑flashing beacons (RRFBs) and overhead street lighting were installed in 2023 to improve driver visibility, and that the current roundabout and crosswalk design yield single‑lane crossings intended to reduce pedestrian exposure. “These crosswalks… are built to improve safety for the students crossing, giving them one lane to cross at a time,” Shipp said.

Councilmembers described resident concerns about driver impatience at the beacon and asked whether a timed crossing or a HAWK signal could reduce persistent activations that frustrate drivers. Shipp described possible near‑term fixes—a timer that prevents immediate repeat activation for 30–45 seconds, or upgrading the beacon to a HAWK signal—and tied larger improvements to the Bangle Boulevard/Highland intersection project, which has county and federal funding.

On the request for a dedicated right‑turn lane into the school, Shipp said available city right‑of‑way is limited, and carving a new lane would likely require property acquisition from adjacent owners and modifications to the school’s bus/parking flow. He recommended continued coordination with the school community council and exploration of lower‑cost timing and beacon changes as immediate mitigations.

Next steps: staff offered to meet with the school community council, examine signal‑timing options, and evaluate how the larger Bangle/Highland project would change crossing geometry and safety.