Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza announced Tuesday, Aug. 16, that pedestrian safety beacons have been installed at the crosswalks across Division Street at the Franklin Street intersection.

The rectangular rapid flash beacons (RRFB) were the result of lengthy discussions with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) and the UWSP Student Government Association (SGA) regarding safety concerns with motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.

“The RRFBs were installed in a partnership between UWSP and the city of Stevens Point. UWSP is also contributing 50 percent of the total cost for the project because we share the same concerns for safety,” said Wiza.

“We’ve always had a very cooperative relationship with UWSP and this is just another example of how we share responsibility in our community,” he said. “We’ve really been able to address student concerns, too, with the recent SGA leadership the past two years. Together, we’ve really opened up dialogue with the most recent and current SGA presidents and vice presidents.”

The solar-powered LED lights are visible from both directions and are meant to alert drivers that they need to stop and are user-activated by a button at the crosswalk. Yellow rapidly flashing LED lights are timed to allow people to cross and then cannot be activated again for a period of time to allow traffic to flow.

The total project cost was about $17,000.

“State statute already requires motor vehicles to stop for pedestrians in designated crosswalks like this,” Wiza said. “These will just help remind people of that. We hope that people will become familiar with the new lights and the law before school starts in a few weeks. Law enforcement will be putting a focus on enforcing the laws, too. I’d hate to see people get tickets for not stopping.”