City administration provided a response during the Oct. 10 city council meeting about the situation at the intersection and its walk timer.
Residents concerned about safely crossing the street at Ninth Avenue Southwest and Coteau Street West only need to press an upgraded pedestrian push button to reach the other side.
Concerns about the intersection’s walk timer came to city administration’s attention during the Sept. 11 city council meeting, when Coun. Doug Blanc talked about how some residents noticed that the timer no longer counted down when the lights were green.
Not only did pedestrians use that timer, he pointed out, but motorists also used it to know how long the light would stay green.
City administration responded during the Oct. 10 council meeting, explaining that city crews completed work in April to replace the push-button pedestrian crossing. The intersection now functions in priority of north-south vehicle traffic, with traffic loops in the asphalt communicating to the signals.
“When the pedestrian button is pushed, the traffic loops are overridden and the pedestrian button will activate the countdown timer,” the report said.
“The integration of the pedestrian button to the traffic signal system allows for improved traffic flow,” the document added. “Signalized pedestrian countdown functions are not intended for vehicle use.”
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Oct. 23.
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