Decatur unveils second pedestrian hybrid beacon

Decatur’s new pedestrian hybrid beacon on South Candler Street near East Davis Street. Bill Banks for the AJC

Decatur’s new pedestrian hybrid beacon on South Candler Street near East Davis Street. Bill Banks for the AJC

Decatur’s long anticipated “pedestrian hybrid beacon” went live this week on South Candler Street near East Davis Street. This is the city’s second such beacon, the first opening at Clairemont Avenue near the YMCA last month.

These are typically placed midblock at high pedestrian/vehicular traffic locations where traffic signals aren’t deemed necessary. Pedestrians push a button and overhead flashing lights allow for crossing the street at a marked crosswalk.

Assistant City Manager David Junger says the city has a third pedestrian hybrid beacon in the design phase, slated for Scott Boulevard in front of Westchester Elementary.

He said each beacon costs about $100,000, some of that paid by grant money.