The City of Grand Junction installed a High-Intensity Activated CrossWalk (HAWK) signal at the location of the Monument Trail crossing on Monument Road.

The HAWK will be the first of its kind in Grand Junction and Mesa County.

According to a news release from the city, the innovative signal represents a step forward in pedestrian safety and accessibility, aligning with the city’s long-term vision for a connected community through multi-modal travel and accessible outdoor recreation. The HAWK signal introduces pedestrian-first technology designed to reduce vehicle conflicts and improve visibility for all roadway users.

The HAWK signal is now operational and users can review the Federal Highway Administration Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon practices.

The city said this is how pedestrians use the signal:

• Pedestrian Activation: When a pedestrian wants to cross, they press a button or activate a sensor.
• Warning Phase: The HAWK signal will flash yellow, followed by a solid yellow, to alert drivers to slow down and prepare to stop.
• Stop Phase: Two solid red lights appear for drivers, indicating they must stop, and a walking person symbol is displayed for pedestrians, indicating it’s safe to cross.
• Proceed Phase: After the pedestrian crosses, a flashing red light appears for drivers, signaling they can proceed after stopping and ensuring the crosswalk is clear.

The signal includes safety lighting that has minimal impact on the night sky. The HAWK signal, unlike standard traffic signals, remains dark until activated, minimizing unnecessary interruptions to traffic flow while still delivering clear priority to pedestrians when needed.

“This pedestrian signal represents the kind of modern technology and forward-thinking infrastructure that blends safety, innovation and awareness, which helps create streets and multimodal paths that serve all of the community,” Engineering and Transportation Director Trent Prall said. “The HAWK was selected as they are particularly useful for crosswalks that are not at intersections, as they can provide a safer way for pedestrians to cross busy streets without a full traffic signal and allow for efficient traffic flow by only stopping vehicles when activated.”

According to the news release, this type of signal has been implemented across the country, which has seen increased motorist compliance when compared to rapid flash beacons like those on 12th Street in Grand Junction.

The city also plans to install a HAWK signal for mid-block crossings in locations along the Four Canyons Parkway.