LAKELAND, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation is now activating the newly installed High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk Signals, or HAWKS on Memorial Boulevard in the City of Lakeland.
The signals are designed to make crossing Memorial Boulevard safer and easier for pedestrians in one of the highest crash areas in Polk County.
The new HAWK signals are located near Kettles Avenue, Vermont Avenue, Stella Avenue and Morgan Avenue in the City of Lakeland.
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To help build awareness of the new signals, the HAWKS were in flash mode from Wednesday, February 19 through Sunday, February 23 before they started working on Monday, February 24.
HAWK signals are activated when a pedestrian pushes the button. Once the button is pushed, the overhead signal begins flashing yellow before changing to a solid yellow, warning motorists to slow down and prepare to stop. The signal will then change to solid red.
Drivers must stop for pedestrians to safely cross. When the signal begins flashing red, drivers may proceed with caution if the crosswalk is clear.
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The signal will then go dark and remain dark until a pedestrian pushes the button to begin the process again.
The City of Lakeland, the Florida Highway Patrol and the Lakeland Police Department will be on hand at each HAWK location to help explain the process to pedestrians during the first days of operation.
The HAWKS were installed as part of an FDOT safety improvement project on Memorial Boulevard that includes concrete pavement repairs, intersection and median modifications, as well as upgrades to streetlights and sidewalks.
