FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — A new high-intensity activated crosswalk is now operating in northwest Fresno, aiming to improve pedestrian safety near an elementary school.
City and county officials, along with the Central Unified School District, gathered Wednesday morning to celebrate the activation of the county’s first high-intensity activated crosswalk, commonly known as a HAWK signal.
The crosswalk is located on Grantland Avenue near Herndon-Barstow Elementary School and is the county’s first HAWK crosswalk. It starts flashing lights up above to let cars know to slow down and wait for students crossing.
The HAWK signal is designed to alert drivers as pedestrians cross a busy roadway. When a pedestrian presses the button, the signal cycles through flashing yellow, steady yellow and then red lights, warning drivers to slow down and stop. When the hand symbol begins flashing, the red lights flash as well, indicating drivers may proceed if the crosswalk is clear.
City of Fresno Councilmember Mike Karbassi said the goal is to make drivers more aware of children crossing a major thoroughfare.
“Well, what happens when you see flashing red lights on the back of a school bus? People know to stop because there’s children. Grantland is a major thoroughfare but there’s a school right across the street,” Karbassi said. “We want people to know when the kids hit that button the light’s gonna flash intensely. Stop. There are kids crossing the street. Get off your phone. Pay attention. Don’t make that child a victim.
The signal operates at all hours, even on weekends.
The project follows years of concerns raised by parents and school officials about safety in the area, particularly during peak school hours and challenging weather conditions.
“During our busy time, it’s extremely dangerous and during foggy days it’s scary as well,” said Herndon-Barstow Elementary School Principal Paul Marashian.
Parent Elisa Bilios pointed to previous incidents near the former crosswalk location.
“There have been multiple accidents in this vicinity. The PG&E pole right where the former crosswalk was located was downed on separate occasions by cars crashing into it causing electrical outages that affected school instruction days,” Bilios said.
The project was completed at the end of March and cost about one million dollars.
“Our kids are important and how they cross the streets matter,” another parent said.
