RANDY METCALF

Studio art freshman Ross Ott waits for traffic to stop at the corner of Second Street and Euclid Avenue yesterday afternoon. Due to recent pedestrian accidents in the UA area, plans for new streetlights and median refuges are in effect.

Thursday August 30, 2001 |

Construction of new streetlights, 'refuges' begins next summer

The city of Tucson will begin construction next summer on a series of traffic medians and streetlights, in an attempt to alleviate pedestrian-related traffic accidents.

As the result of a 1994 initiative passed by city voters, the Tucson Department of Transportation will commence construction in August or September of 2002 to erect more streetlights along Euclid Avenue, and pedestrian median refuges on Euclid Avenue at Second Street and Fifth Street.

Euclid Avenue - from Speedway Boulevard to Broadway Boulevard - is crossed by hundreds of students daily. According to reports filed through the Tucson Police Department, nine pedestrian-related accidents have occurred in this area in the past two years, one resulting in death.

"I've had some close calls," said business junior Steve Mokhtarian. "It's a busy street, and walking across is a pain."

Michael Graham, public information specialist for the Department of Transportation, said the new pedestrian median refuges will be equipped with electrical wiring in anticipation of a future pedestrian crossing stoplight called a HAWK, or high intensity activated crosswalk.

The HAWK costs between $75,000 and $100,000, however, an amount the city does not currently have.

"The electricity will be there, we just need funding for the HAWK," Graham said.

With past projects, such as the Speedway Boulevard underpass project, the city and University of Arizona entered into an intergovernmental agreement, which split the cost of the funding needed for the project.

"If the university expressed an interest in funding pedestrian signals on Euclid, we would be willing to entertain any proposal they might have," said Jim Glock, deputy director for the Department of Transportation. "Any agreement would be subject to the approval of our city manager, mayor and council."

To install the HAWK, the crossing intersection must be 600 feet from the nearest stoplight, and have 120 to 150 pedestrians crossing the intersection each hour. The HAWK, when operated, flashes yellow and then turns red, stopping traffic completely before the pedestrian crosses.

Graham said the pedestrian refuges will be helpful, at least until any HAWKs can be installed.

"(The median) will give pedestrians a halfway point at least," he said.

The University of Arizona Police Department has further concerns with students crossing traffic lanes along Sixth Street without using the provided crossing lights.

"There are more problems on Sixth Street with students crossing between Cherry and Highland," said UAPD Sgt. Michael Smith. "Drivers don't always yield."

Smith also offered advice to pedestrians crossing major streets.

"Whenever possible, cross at the light," he said, "Make sure traffic is slowing, walk defensively, keep an eye open, and don't be in too much of a hurry."