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Lincoln Ave. could get ped lights for some crossings
'Uplights' activate when pedestrians enter crosswalks
By Chantal Lamers
Following five years of complaints from Willow Glen residents about traffic zooming up and down Lincoln Avenue, District 6 Councilman Frank Fiscalini has proposed a solution. Fiscalini's staff requested $480,000 from the mayor's upcoming budget for a pedestrian safety project on the avenue.
But, mayoral budget director Joe Guerra said the request may be referred to a city-wide, year-long traffic-calming study that's still under way. Guerra said the city plans to budget a traffic-calming reserve that would fund particular projects once the study is complete.
The mayor's budget revision is scheduled for release on June 6, Guerra said.
A portion of staff's request consists of three pedestrian-activated crosswalk light systems, known as "uplights." Jim Helmer, deputy director of streets and traffic, said the small, bright lights line the outside of the crosswalk. Embedded in the pavement, the raised markers blink when a pedestrian walks through two polls on either side of the crosswalk, Helmer said.
Although still in its pilot phase, a pedestrian-activated crosswalk uplight was installed in Almaden Valley this year. Helmer said before the lights were installed, the Streets and Traffic Department measured drivers' speeds along the street. With the lights installed, Helmer said, early indications are that drivers are breaking sooner and giving pedestrians the right of way.
If funding is approved, pedestrian lights may be installed at the crosswalk midblock between Minnesota Avenue and Brace Street, a second at Meredith Avenue and a third midblock between Willow Street and Meredith Avenue. Each light system costs about $60,000.
The second portion of the project includes two pedestrian-activated signal lights at the intersections with Brace and Broadway Avenue.
Fiscalini's chief of staff Michele McGurk, says the lights don't stop traffic unless activated by a pedestrian. The additional two lights total around $300,000.
McGurk is planning community meetings with the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association and the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association for input on the project from residents.
McGurk said the proposal is in response to complaints from Willow Glen merchants and residents.
In February, a pedestrian was injured on Lincoln Avenue after being hit by a car. The accident took place in a pedestrian walkway near the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street. A southbound van stopped in the slow lane of Lincoln Avenue, and the driver signaled the pedestrian, who was waiting on the sidewalk, to cross. As the pedestrian began to jog across Lincoln Avenue toward Peet's Coffee, she was struck by a vehicle in the other southbound lane.
Though police said the driver wasn't speeding, the accident prompted concerns for pedestrian safety.
WGNA President J. Michael Gonzales said anything that will help protect pedestrians on Lincoln Avenue is a step in the right direction. At its May meeting, WGNA conducted a survey around downtown Willow Glen. Gonzales said pedestrian safety rated very high with Glenites.
Gonzales said he's relieved the plan may slow traffic, but still hopes that the city can find less expensive alternatives.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
