A dangerous Edgewater intersection may be made safer soon, as officials broke ground Monday on a new crosswalk beacon — the first of its kind being installed in the city.
Located where Ridge, Wayne and Hollywood avenues intersect in Edgewater, the signal is called a hybrid beacon; it acts as a traffic light but activates only when a pedestrian pushes the call button, according to the the Chicago Department of Transportation .
Officials attending the groundbreaking said they hope it will help residents safely cross the intersection, which currently has no traffic signals. The hybrid beacon should be ready by spring.
“We, in the city of Chicago, do not want to see another death to make our crosswalks safe,” said Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th), who attended an afternoon groundbreaking ceremony at the site.
The $1.3 million project comes about five years after a pedestrian died in a 2021 crash at the intersection. The death of 63-year-old Sharon Lowrie sparked calls for traffic safety reforms from the community.
The beacon will have two red lenses above a single yellow lens. The yellow lens doesn’t light up until a pedestrian pushes the button, according to Manaa-Hoppenworth’s website. The beacon directs motorists to slow down and then stop as it changes from yellow to red. Pedestrians can then cross, and after a flashing countdown, the signal turns off.
Such beacons, also known as high-intensity activated crosswalk beacons, already are in use in several other states, including Arizona, Texas, Michigan. State Sen. Mike Simmons, D-Chicago, who was also on hand Monday, said the technology can reduce pedestrian crashes by 55% and overall crashes by 29%.
“These are real effects that are going to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians all along Ridge,” Simmons said.
The project initially gained momentum through advocacy efforts by the community, especially the Edgewater Triangle Neighborhood Association and the BARGE Neighbors block club.
Anthony Pence, who leads the neighborhood association, said residents have long felt unsafe trying to cross Ridge at that intersection. The death of Lowrie, who lived in the area, made them realize they must advocate for change and hold elected officials accountable, Pence said.
“I think it’s going to be a change for some people … but I’m very excited,” Pence said. “I think it will certainly make streets safer around here.”
The overhaul will streamline the five-way intersection into a standard four-way design. In addition to the new beacon, there will be other improved crosswalks and signs, as well as accessible pedestrian signals, which provide audible and tactile cues.
During construction, northbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane; southbound traffic will still use two lanes. Additionally, the sidewalk on the west side of Ridge will be closed.
The majority of the project is expected to be completed this year , with resurfacing and landscaping expected to finish by spring .
The $1.3 million project will bring a first-in-the-city pedestrian-activated “hybrid beacon” to the five-way intersection at Ridge, Wayne and Hollywood avenues in Edgewater. Other improvements include realigning the intersection and accessible pedestrian signals for the visually impaired.
The $1.3 million project will bring a first-in-the-city pedestrian-activated “hybrid beacon” to the five-way intersection at Ridge, Wayne and Hollywood avenues in Edgewater. Other improvements include realigning the intersection and accessible pedestrian signals for the visually impaired.
