3400 Block S. Broadway HAWK Beacon

About the Project

The City of Englewood will improve pedestrian safety along the 3400 Block of South Broadway by constructing a HAWK traffic signal at the existing midblock crossing between Englewood Pkwy/Girard Avenue and Hampen Avenue. A HAWK signal (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK beacon) is a traffic signal used to stop vehicular traffic and allow pedestrians to cross an intersection safely. It is officially known as a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) and it is a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) proven safety countermeasure. The purpose of a HAWK signal is to allow protected pedestrian crossings, stopping road traffic only as needed.

The City has recently awarded a $298,950.00 contract to Lighthouse Transportation Group for the construction of a HAWK (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK) signal on South Broadway. The project includes installing two 30-foot masts—one on each side of the street—to support the new crossing system.

The project is state funded by the Revitalizing Main Streets (RMS) Opportunity 1 fund. The RMS program began as a part of Colorado’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan and is administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) via the Local Agency process.

*Hyperlink: https://www.codot.gov/programs/revitalizingmainstreets

Construction Outreach

Residents and businesses near the construction area will receive direct notification and additional information before construction begins. This outreach will include contact information on who to reach out to during construction. The City of Englewood and Englewood Downtown District Authority (EDDA) will also provide project updates through the usual communication mediums.

Construction Schedule

Project design has been completed as of July 2025. Construction is scheduled to begin in May of 2026 with completion in June 2026.

Construction Impacts

Traffic control and partial lane closures will be in place on South Broadway between Englewood Parkway/Girard Avenue and Hampden Avenue. Traffic will be able to travel through South Broadway most of the time, but there may be delays.

Sidewalk closures may be necessary for construction. In the event segments of sidewalk must be closed, alternative routes will be provided to ensure pedestrian connectivity and access to businesses along South Broadway.

The heavy equipment being used will create construction noise. Construction hours will be limited to Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Limited night and weekend work may be needed under special circumstances.

Materials, equipment, and debris will need to be delivered to and removed from the construction area.

The existing crosswalk striping will be removed and replaced with high visibility pavement markings. Barring further evaluation, on-street parking spaces directly adjacent to the midblock crossing may be eliminated to improve visibility at the crossing.

Project Elements

Existing Crosswalk

The existing midblock crosswalk serves as a critical connection between Englewood’s downtown district; however the existing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) serving the crosswalk do not provide the level of safety that the City desires at this location.

HAWK Signal

The pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) is a traffic control device designed to help pedestrians safely cross higher-speed roadways at midblock crossings and uncontrolled intersections. The beacon head consists of two red lenses above a single yellow lens. The lenses remain “dark” until a pedestrian desiring to cross the street pushes the call button to activate the beacon. The push button initiates a yellow to red lighting sequence consisting of flashing and steady lights that directs motorists to slow and come to a stop, providing the right-of-way to the pedestrians to safely cross the roadway before the lenses go dark again.

Sequence for a PHB. Source: MUTCD 2009 Edition, p. 511, FHWA

A Cost-Effective Safety Solution

The City of Englewood HAWK Signal project will enhance pedestrian safety and complement the CDOT Revitalizing Main Streets Opportunity 1 grant awarded to the Englewood Downtown Development Authority (EDDA) in 2021 which includes enhancements to the crosswalk and adjacent paseos. Safety improvements for that project include crosswalk improvements and bollard lights at both ends of the midblock crossing.

Downtown Paseo, east of South Broadway midblock crossing. Source: City of Englewood Public Works