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Council hears street and park construction updates and considers HAWK signals for a dangerous crossing
Summary
City staff updated council on pavement replacement on East Waterlue Street, McGill Park phase 2B material deliveries, and a May 4 start for concrete replacement. Council discussed pedestrian safety at Washington/Ashbrook crossing and asked staff to evaluate installing an on-demand HAWK pedestrian signal or other traffic controls.
City staff updated council on several infrastructure projects and discussed possible safety upgrades for a busy crosswalk.
Public-works staff (Mr. Sims) said contractors will return to East Waterlue Street to replace temporary pavement Wednesday through Friday and complete lawn restoration afterward. Work continues on Winchester Boulevard where the electrician is removing old street lighting foundations and a signage contractor will begin installing permanent signs imminently. McGill Park’s phase 2B shelter materials were delivered and contractors will complete site setup and tree chipping this week.
The city’s street program will begin May 4 with concrete replacement work focusing first on roads slated for resurfacing (Deets Drive and Try Street), followed by curb replacement on Samaritan Court and sidewalk work in the Fox Hill/Hemingford area. Mr. Sims explained typical sidewalk repairs take roughly three days per resident (remove one day, pour the next, protections removed the following day) and that resurfacing is usually done under traffic with flaggers; Deets Drive will be completed in halves with an estimated one-week period per half, temporarily restricting driveway access for affected residents.
Council also reported safety concerns raised during a recent Council Connect meeting at the Washington and Ashbrook Road crossing near the bridge when a resident reported a car failed to stop for a child. Council members discussed options including on-demand push-button signals and HAWK pedestrian signals; Mr. Peoples said HAWK signals—three-light pedestrian-activated signals that can act like a stop light—are appropriate for higher-speed approaches and are being considered for path connections outside of town. Staff noted some locations may have jurisdictional or roadway-geometry constraints (curbing and county road status) and that cost and solar/utility options vary by unit type.
Council asked staff to further evaluate signal options, jurisdictional approvals, and communication plans for upcoming street work; staff flagged that some improvements are already being included in path designs in coordination with neighboring jurisdictions.
