Monona hopes new crosswalk signs will be safe, more convenient
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
The city of Monona hopes new permanent crosswalk signs with flashing lights will be a safe and more convenient alternative to the current movable stop signs put out before and after school.
Signs will be placed at crosswalks at S. Main and Davis streets, S. Main and Kregel streets and W. Iowa and S. West streets. There, pedestrians can push a button to activate red, flashing lights to stop traffic.
“Any blinking, red light is like a stop sign,” and motorists are required to halt, said city administrator Barb Collins.
She and council member Preston Landt, who spearheaded the new signs, said the impetus was largely the inconvenience to city employees. Public works employees put the movable stop signs in and out in the morning and police officers did so in the afternoon, often pulling them from tasks.
“We had issues with the police getting stuck on a call or in a meeting, or they didn’t have time. Same with the city guys too, if they were working on a time sensitive project. If school started late or got out early, they didn’t always know,” said Landt. “Now, they can focus on what they need to work on and not worry about the school schedule.”
The stop signs were an inconvenience to traffic too, noted Collins. Motorists were required to stop whether a person was crossing the street or not. And sometimes signs would be left out past school hours.
That’s especially difficult for semis and farm equipment who were too wide to pass through, said Landt. He’s watched drivers stop their vehicles, move the sign, drive through the crosswalk, then stop their vehicle again and replace the sign in its original position.
“Now, if there isn’t anyone at the intersection, you don’t have to stop,” Landt said.
Unlike the movable stop signs, which are utilized only during the school year, these new signs will be up year-round. This will help kids who often use the routes to reach the pool. It will also improve safety for adult walkers and residents with mobility issues.
“A couple people have scooters. They can use those crosswalks easily too,” Collins said.
Solar panels charge the battery operated signs. Once activated, lights on both side will flash for 60 seconds. Motorists aren’t required to sit there the whole time.
“You can proceed once they’ve crossed the street,” Landt said.
The city is working now to inform the public of the change. MFL MarMac will help communicate with students as well.
If all goes well, said Landt, the city could consider placing signs in other parts of town. He views the project as a win-win for all.
“It’s good for the safety of kids and employees can focus on their work and not get interrupted,” he said.
