SPOKANE, Wash. -- Work began on a new "HAWK light" over Ruby Street at the intersection of Boon Avenue on Monday.
A "HAWK light" is a High Intensity Activated Crosswalk that flashes yellow when a pedestrian pushes the signal button, changing to a solid yellow then red when drivers are required to stop.
Spokane City Officials are trying the new lights on various locations and traffic situations to test their effectiveness. They hope it will bring down the number of injuries and deaths from pedestrians crossing the street.
"What's key about the HAWK light as we implement these, it really gives the identification and the lights besides just the crosswalk," said Mayor David Condon.
Each light costs around $65,000 according to Spokane leaders. Private business owners near Boone and Ruby came forward to pay for the first light. However, City leaders said they will be partially refunding by public grants. They also said the cost is much higher because there is more technology and equipment used to make it work.
City Council Members said they have wanted to see the lights in Spokane since 2010 and they are long overdue.
The Federal Highway Administration studied HAWK lights in Tucson, Arizona, which have been around since 2000. The report found crashes involving people crossing the street went down almost 70%.
Severe crashes where someone was injured or even killed went down 15%. All together the HAWK lights brought down crashed by almost 30%.
A second light will also be added at 18th and Grand , which will begin next Monday, April 6. Money collected from red light camera tickets will pay for that light according to leaders with the City of Spokane.
