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Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Approve Scope Modification to the HAWK Signal at 21st Street and Market Street Project (EB-6028) to Eliminate the Proposed One-Way Conversion of 21st Street
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Department: |
Engineering |
Meeting Date: |
3/18/2025 |
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Contact Name: |
Denys Vielkanowitz |
Public Hearing: |
No |
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Contact Phone: |
910-341-4676 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
N/A |
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Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Resolution |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to authorize the City Manager to approve scope modification to the HAWK Signal at 21st Street and Market Street, project EB-6028, to eliminate the proposed one-way conversion of 21St Street.
BACKGROUND:
The “Walk Wilmington: A Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan,” adopted by City Council on August 4, 2009, recommended consideration of pedestrian hybrid signals (“HAWK signal”) at Market Street and South 21st Street. A HAWK signal was recommended instead of a full stop signal to reduce the potential cut-through traffic into nearby residential neighborhoods.
On January 22, 2019, City Council approved a resolution to apply for Transportation Alternatives Set Aside - Direct Attributable (“TASA-DA”) funding for the installation of a HAWK Signal at 21st Street and Market Street. The approved scope of this resolution included the requirement that 21st Street be converted to one-way southbound from Market Street to either Wolcott Avenue or Pender Avenue.
The original design was based on the 2009 edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (“MUTCD”), which stated that a HAWK signal should be installed at least 100 feet from a controlled intersection. Therefore 21st Street was proposed to be converted to one-way southbound away from Market Street. This conversion would effectively allow the HAWK signal to operate as a midblock pedestrian crossing traffic control device. Specific to the 21st Street location, this guidance eliminates the potential for a northbound 21st Street right turning vehicle crashing into a pedestrian in the crosswalk.
The current recommendation to eliminate the traffic conversion and maintain 2-way traffic is based on a 2023 revision of the MUTCD. Specifically, the standards were modified to allow installation of a HAWK signal at an intersection, as long as a stop sign is installed for each minor-street approach. Specific to the 21st Street location, this guidance allows the HAWK signal to be installed, as long as the STOP sign is retained for northbound 21st Street.
In February 2025, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (“NCDOT”) Division 3 was notified of the City’s proposed approach and NCDOT concurred with this scope modification. The installation of the new HAWK signal has been completed, and will be activated upon the approval of this resolution.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
The planned traffic conversion is expected to be handled by in-house Traffic Engineering staff, therefore approval of this resolution does not have a budget impact.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Passage of the attached resolution is recommended.