Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and District 5 Councilwoman Betty Guardado joined members of the Maryvale community and staff from the Street Transportation Department to commemorate the activation of the city’s 75th pedestrian signal crossing on March 24.

The newest signal is at Indian School Road and Amelia Avenue, between 83rd and 81st avenues along Indian School Road.

“Addressing roadway safety issues in Phoenix is a top priority,” Gallego said in a release. “I’m proud of the work being done by the Street Transportation Department to add infrastructure and implement strategies to address that critical concern.”   

Formally referred to as a high-intensity activated crosswalk, or HAWK, the signal features pedestrian-triggered flashing red-yellow-red beacons and provides a safe crossing point for pedestrians near busy intersections and mid-block locations.

A HAWK operates similar to a standard traffic signal, minus a green-signal light, and remains “dark” until engaged by a pedestrian.

“During the last several years, there has been a dramatic increase in traffic collisions and incidents involving pedestrians in Maryvale,” Guardado said in a release. “The addition of this signal is an important step to reverse that trend. Residents will feel safer when they walk, bike or access public transit along this stretch of Indian School Road.”

The HAWK that was activated this week is one of 38 to be installed citywide during the past five years, and more are scheduled to be added to the inventory in the coming months.