4th Avenue North Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (HAWK Signal)

PROJECT DETAILS
LOCATION: Billings, MT
PROJECT MANAGER: Danielle Scharf, PE, PTOE, LEED AP

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS IN BILLINGS, MT

Sanderson Stewart completed design and construction administration services for a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (commonly referred to as a HAWK (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK) Signal) near the intersection of 4th Avenue North and North 20th Street in Downtown Billings. The purpose of this installation was to provide a safe crossing location for a significant amount of pedestrian traffic generated by the new GSA office building on 4th Avenue North, a four-lane facility that carries a significant amount of traffic between Downtown and the MetraPark area. The GSA office building is located in the East Billings Urban Renewal District (EBURD), which means that the parking regulations for the site do not require on-site parking resulting in off-street parking and the need for safe passage across 4th Avenue North. The project included new curb extensions to improve the visibility of pedestrians waiting to cross, as well as improved ADA accommodations on all four corners of the intersection and Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) features.

 

THE FIRST USE OF A HAWK SIGNAL IN THE STATE OF
MONTANA, THE SIGNAL WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE FEDERAL GUIDELINES DID NOT WARRANT A TYPICAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL

“If traffic increases in the future and a
regular signal is needed, almost all of the existing infrastructure could be used for the traffic signal.”

Erin Claunch, City of Billings Public Works Department