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MEDIA ALERT: March 23, 2012
No.: 12-2522
Contact: Jeremy Woodrow, 907-465-8994, Jeremy.Woodrow@alaska.gov

Juneau Legislators Activate New Walmart HAWK Crossing Signal

What: A High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) pedestrian beacon will be ceremoniously activated at the Walmart driveway crosswalk by Juneau’s legislative delegation and the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF).

Where: Walmart Driveway Crosswalk When: 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Who: Representative Munoz, Representative Kerttula and Senator Egan

Why: To immediately address concerns regarding pedestrian safety the Alaska DOT&PF is using Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds to install a new HAWK signal at the existing Walmart driveway crosswalk.

Pedestrian safety along this section of Glacier Highway was a priority during a recent meeting between DOT&PF, City & Borough of Juneau, Juneau Police Department and Central Council Tlingit & Haida.

The high-volume of foot traffic present between Switzer Village, Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School, Walmart and the Switzer bus stops present safety concerns for both drivers and pedestrians.

Studies indicate that 97 percent of drivers yield to pedestrians when a HAWK signal is in operation. No other crosswalk alternative performs better for driver awareness.

This will be Juneau’s second HAWK crossing and will function identical to the Floyd Dryden Middle School - Mendenhall Loop Road crosswalk. More information and HAWK signal instructions for both drivers and pedestrians can be found online at dot.alaska.gov/hawk.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) oversees 254 airports, 11 ferries serving 33 communities, 5,700 miles of highway and 660 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of ADOT&PF is to “Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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