KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The city activated a new traffic signal at a crosswalk in Brookside Monday. The signal is at 63rd Street and Brookside Plaza.
Leaders in Brookside pushed for the signalized crosswalk to make it safer and easier for people to cross 63rd Street to get to shops and restaurants. The crosswalk will also benefit runners and cyclists using the Trolley Trail, which crosses 63rd Street at that location.
The traffic signal may take some getting used to for drivers.
It has four cycles. First, it flashes yellow. Then turns solid yellow. Like a standard light, drivers should prepare to stop when they see yellow.
The light will then turn red, meaning drivers have to stop at the crosswalk. Lastly, the signal will blink red. That means drivers must come to a stop but can move forward if there is no one in the crosswalk.
There are similar traffic-signaled crosswalks in Midtown along Main Street and Broadway.
Expect to see the police department’s traffic unit at the new location this week, making sure everything starts on the right foot.
Stephanie Hudson has lived in Brookside since 1999 and couldn't be happier.
"I've been walking this way for a long time. I would just walk through and raise my hand to get people to stop at that other crosswalk or at this one," she said.
Police warn drivers to stop for pedestrians even if the light at the traffic signal isn’t activated. Walkers have the right of way if they are in a crosswalk.
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