Committee backs interim safety actions at I‑495 interchanges, asks staff to press for coordinated HAWK signal

Planning staff presented interim and long‑term recommendations to address pedestrian and bicyclist safety at I‑495 interchange ramps where high‑speed vehicle traffic creates unsafe crossing conditions.

Interim recommendations include high‑visibility pavement markings, consistent lighting to remove dark zones, trimming foliage to preserve sight lines, and consideration of a coordinated HAWK (high‑intensity activated crosswalk) signal at existing pedestrian ramp crossings to provide protected pedestrian phases. Long‑term recommendations included reconstructing ramps to conventional 90° intersections, signalizing turning movements with protected pedestrian phases, orienting curb ramps to intended pedestrian travel directions and, where uncontrolled dual on‑ramp lanes remain, considering grade‑separated crossings.

Committee members stressed that interim measures should be actionable and funded; staff and DOT said the state typically leads work on interstate ramps and that none of these long‑term projects are currently funded. Councilmember Mick suggested clarifying sequencing in plan text and urged stronger language for an interim HAWK‑type crossing; staff agreed to propose language to replace ‘‘consider’’ with a stronger directive if feasible.

What happens next: committee requested clearer sequencing between interim and long‑term recommendations and asked staff to draft firmer language for an interim coordinated HAWK signal to present at the next meeting. Planning staff noted state coordination will be required for major interchange changes and that project funding is not yet allocated.