City Council gives crosswalk control to pedestrians

Traffic talk dominated Wednesday night’s Bloomington City Council meeting.

Legislation was passed that will add a new type of traffic signal at the intersection of East 19th Street and North Dunn Street.

“There’s an enormous amount of pedestrian traffic, but not much vehicular traffic,” Director of Public Works Susie Johnson said.

The traffic signal at 19th and Dunn streets will be the first of its kind in Bloomington.

Known as a HAWK beacon, or a high-intensity activated crosswalk, it will allow pedestrians to walk immediately after pushing a button. The light will signal cars to stop and let pedestrians pass.

An education campaign is planned before IU’s fall semester to accustom students to the light, which will be funded by a grant from IU.

Several members of the Prospect Hill neighborhood also attended the meeting.

They spoke in favor of an amendment to change the two-way stop signs at the corner of Fourth  and Maple streets to four-way stop signs.

Karen Knight, who is on the Third Street Traffic Calming Committee for the Prospect Hill neighborhood, cited safety concerns for children walking to nearby Fairview Elementary School.

She also noted the line-of-sight problem due to a large hill.

“We’re five blocks from downtown, so most people walk or bike. It’s a hassle to find parking,” Knight said.

Though the amendment passed in an 8-1 vote, council member Stephen Volan, who voted against it, said he found the way it “prioritizes Prospect Hill” upsetting.

“We have a very vocal citizenry, and that’s quite wonderful,” said Sarah Ryterband, member of the Bloomington Traffic Commission and resident of Prospect Hill. “On the other hand, I’m concerned about other neighborhoods without such a vocal citizenry.”

Stressing issues of safety and civility on the roads, she said she would like to see a “more comprehensive approach to the issue” in which all neighborhoods’ needs are addressed.

The council also introduced Ordinance 11-01 for its first reading. The legislation would appropriate a $1,500 grant from the Bloomington Bicycle Club to fund the Bicycle Light Campaign, which gives away free bike lights to people riding at night. Riding without lights at night is illegal in Bloomington.

Council member Andy Ruff said the program is great because the funding “doesn’t even come from tax dollars.”

“It’s better to promote safe riding rather than giving out tickets,” Ruff said.