WILMINGTON — The City of Wilmington is ready to move forward with installing a new traffic control measure to help pedestrians and slow vehicles at the intersection of Market Street and 21st Street. But plans for the intersection won’t include a typical stop sign or traffic light, instead, the city is hoping to install a HAWK Beacon, which stands for High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk Beacon.
Visitors to Wrightsville Beach will recognize the HAWK signal as the town currently is the only home to such a signal in New Hanover County; Wrightsville’s HAWK is located at Causeway Drive and North Channel.
In January of 2018, Wrightsville Beach Police Department issued 21 citations in two days during a controversial operation to enforce compliance at the light.
The HAWK signal has proven to be difficult to understand for motorists as it is not the same as a traffic light or a typical “flashing” crosswalk signal.
The way the HAWK Beacon works is as follows:
- A pedestrian triggers the beacon by pushing a button
- The beacon turns yellow to alert drivers the light is about to change
- The light turns to a steady red light, indicating drivers must stop
- The light begins flashing red, drivers can now treat the signal the same as a stop sign
The HAWK signal is expected to cost $200,000 and City Manager Sterling Cheatham is requesting council direct him to apply for funding from the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. If approved for the grant, the city would be responsible for $40,000 and the WMPO would fund the additional $160,000.
“This is also the location where the planned Burnt Mill Creek multi-use path
will cross Market Street. A pedestrian hybrid signal is recommended instead of a full stop signal as it will reduce the potential cut through traffic into nearby residential neighborhoods,” according to the request to City Council.
There is more to the request than just a new signal if approved.
“The installation of a HAWK signal at 21st Street/Market Street will require 21st Street to be converted to one-way southbound from Market Street to either Wolcott Avenue or Pender Avenue. This one way section will change the traffic pattern on 21st Street. Therefore, the installation of the HAWK signal will address the concerns at both the Market Street/21st Street and 21st Street/Metts Avenue intersections,” Cheatham said in the request.
City Council will vote on the item on Tuesday during its regular City Council meeting.
Send comments and tips to [email protected]
