New pedestrian activated traffic signal on SR 86 in Sells to begin operation Monday

A new pedestrian-activated crosswalk signal on State Route 86 in Sells will be activated on Monday (April 25).

The new device – a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon – will help pedestrians to safely cross SR 86 by activating a traffic signal that stops approaching vehicles in both directions to allow time for people to cross the highway.

ADOT will activate the signal on Monday morning. Minor construction tasks remain on the project and motorists are encouraged to obey traffic control signs until the project is complete.

The PHB is located west of Old Rental Road in Sells and is adjacent to the Indian Oasis Intermediate School and the Baboquivari Unified School District offices.

The signal is the first of its kind in Sells, but others are in use in Phoenix, Tucson and numerous smaller Arizona communities.

The $690,000 federally funded project also includes paved sidewalks with handrails leading to the signalized crosswalk and a new pedestrian bridge passing over a concrete drainage ditch.

The signal works by pressing a button that activates a series of lights that alert approaching motorists that pedestrians are waiting to cross. The signal turns from flashing yellow to solid yellow before turning red and giving pedestrians a lighted symbol indicating that it is safe to cross if traffic has stopped.

A digital timer visible to the pedestrians ticks down the remaining time to cross before traffic is signaled to continue. A symbol indicates that pedestrians should not enter the roadway at the end of the cycle.

Both motorists and pedestrians are advised to be aware of and obey the new signal.

For more information about this new traffic control device, please contact C.T. Revere, ADOT Senior Community Relations Officer, at 1.520.705.3574 or by email at crevere@azdot.gov.