On December 29, workers and a pair of bucket trucks were observed setting up a new traffic signal on Great Road, near the intersection with Brook Street.
This intersection was the site of a fatal accident in October 2022. At several meetings in the fall of 2022, the Select Board discussed traffic accidents along Great Road and decided to install a high-intensity activated crosswalk beacon (HAWK) signal at this location. Many pedestrians cross Great Road to access Donelan’s and other shops in Gould’s Plaza, the Great Road Church, Rapscallion restaurant, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Coach Estate apartments and other destinations.
A HAWK signal protects pedestrians by stopping vehicular traffic as needed. The traffic lights remain dark until a pedestrian activates the call button. The HAWK then shines yellow to alert drivers that a stop signal is imminent and they should prepare to stop. This is followed by red, and the pedestrian begins crossing. Vehicles must stop, as at any other red light. Flashing red means that the pedestrian has probably finished crossing but that drivers should be attentive and proceed only if the intersection is clear.
Kim Kastens is a member of the Acton Exchange Board of Directors.
