SR-29 Sonoma Blvd in Vallejo Ped Hybrid Beacon HAWK System Activated Feb 27

State of California • Department of Transportation

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Date: February 26, 2018
District: 4 - Oakland
Contact: Vince Jacala
Vince.jacala@dot.ca.gov
Phone: 510/286-5206

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

State Route 29/Sonoma Boulevard-Vallejo
HAWK / Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons
Caltrans Activates System for First Time in North Bay
Starts, Tuesday, February 27, 2018

SOLANO COUNTY – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is scheduled to activate new pedestrian hybrid beacons also known as the HAWK System or the High Intensity Activated Crosswalk System at four intersections on State Route 29 (SR-29) / Sonoma Boulevard in Downtown Vallejo on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

These overhead pedestrian warning lights will be the first of their kind in the North Bay.
Project Benefits

The new Beacons were installed to increase safety at busy intersections when pedestrians are present. When the system is off, traffic can flow freely when no pedestrians are present.

How do the beacons work?
Pedestrians press a button before entering a crosswalk which activates the beacon. It then flashes yellow and turns solid yellow. The beacon then turns solid red which alerts motorists to stop. Unlike signal lights, beacons do not go green. Instead, after having turned red, they flash red, then go dark after enough time for pedestrians cross. This allows motorists to proceed when no pedestrians are present.

Brighter LED Street Lights and Repainted Crosswalks
As part of the project, Caltrans also installed new brighter LED street lights at 10 intersections along 2-miles of SR-29 between Illinois and Cherry Streets. Crews also repainted several crosswalks.

Where are these new beacons located in Vallejo?
SR-29/Sonoma Blvd and Illinois Street
SR-29/Sonoma Blvd and Alabama Street
SR-29/Sonoma Blvd and Ohio Street
SR-29/Sonoma Blvd and Capitol Street

Please drive with caution when pedestrians are present.

For additional project information, go to our website:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/d4/29hawkbeacon

For real-time traffic, click-on Caltrans Quick Maps at: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
Or follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/caltransd4
# # #