Edgewater residents will see a new safety feature on Ridge Avenue this fall: Chicago’s first pedestrian‑activated hybrid beacon, a stoplight that only turns red when a walker presses a button. The project, announced at a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, targets the five‑way intersection of Ridge, Hollywood and Wayne avenues, a spot that has long raised safety concerns after a fatal crossing in 2021.
Why the beacon matters
Unlike the city’s standard traffic lights, which operate on a fixed timer, the hybrid beacon stays green for drivers until a pedestrian signals the need to cross. Once the button is pressed, a cluster of three lights changes: one flashes yellow, then turns solid yellow to warn drivers to slow down, while the other two turn solid red to stop traffic and allow safe passage. The lights flash red as the crossing nears completion and go dark when the way is clear again.
Federal Highway Administration data show that hybrid beacons cut pedestrian crashes by 55 percent, reduce total crashes by 29 percent, and lower serious injuries and fatalities by 15 percent. Chicago’s Department of Transportation (CDOT) expects similar results on Ridge Avenue, which carries roughly 30,000 vehicles daily and lacks any stop signs.
Construction details
During construction, northbound traffic on Ridge will be reduced to a single lane, while two lanes will remain open southbound. CDOT engineer Dave Miller said the bulk of the work should be finished by the end of the year, with landscaping and resurfacing slated for spring 2027.
As part of the redesign, the city will close the southbound access from Ridge to Wayne Avenue and extend the curbline to meet the existing traffic island, briefly funneling Wayne traffic onto Hollywood. This change also addresses the dogleg configuration at the Wayne‑Ridge junction, improving overall traffic flow.
Community and elected officials back the project
“This will make a real difference here,” said Craig Turner, deputy commissioner of CDOT. “It’s a complicated intersection, and right now, people crossing Ridge have no signals to stop traffic.”
48th Ward Alderman Leni Manaa‑Hoppenworth recalled the 2021 death that spurred the safety push. “The 48th Ward is one of the most walkable in Chicago, yet we still see people getting hurt at our intersections. We don’t want another death,” she said.
State Senator Mike Simmons, who had a close call at the same crossing, echoed the sentiment: “I almost was just killed across the street. This is real stuff… studies have shown this technology will immediately bring an immense traffic improvement to Ridge Avenue.”
Funding and timeline
The project received $1.3 million in recent city funding, fulfilling a proposal that originated the year of the 2021 fatality. The beacon is slated to go live this fall, with additional intersection reconfiguration work expected to continue into next year.
Local families, commuters, and schoolchildren—especially those attending nearby Senn High School—can look forward to a safer crossing that respects the right to free movement while protecting lives. The hybrid beacon reflects a common‑sense, faith‑aligned approach to community safety, reinforcing the city’s commitment to protect its residents without imposing burdensome regulations.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
