NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio — The final addition of the newly completed Clague Road reconstruction project north of Lorain Road recently went live.
That’s the Little Clague Park pedestrian hybrid beacon — also known as high-intensity activated crosswalk or hawk beacons — that stops traffic to allow for Alexander Road pedestrians to cross the busy thoroughfare.
“That’s the last piece of the Clague Road repaving project that was planned originally,” North Olmsted Director of Economic and Community Development Max Upton said. “We acquired the real estate and did the right-of-way acquisition for it.
“It’s just another countermeasure to ensure that people are safe crossing the street, getting to and from the park. It’s pedestrian-activated. And if people run the red light, they can be ticketed by the police, so it’s a real safety enhancement for pedestrians.”
Due to the fact the beacon is new to the community, North Olmsted on social media promoted its installation and proper use involving red flashing crosswalk lights.
There’s even an Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) video to explain how it works.
“Being the first of its kind in the city, there’s a little learning curve with new signals and new configurations, so there’s a little education component,” he said.
“If there’s a pedestrian that has activated it, it eventually turns red and is a stoplight. That’s the way it should be treated.”
Initially, the plan was to use grant money for the the new pedestrian hybrid beacon expenditure, but after the city was unsuccessful in its attempt, Upton said North Olmsted Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones stressed it was too important.
“This is something that across the city the residents wanted to feel safe when they’re walking and biking,” he said.
“This is a much-needed enhancement for all of our residents.”
Upton said drivers should get used to the new pedestrian-activated crossing signal.
“Next year, one will be going in as part of the big Lorain Road repaving project,” he said.
“It’s going to be put in front of the Cuyahoga County Public Library to allow pedestrians to cross Lorain Road.”