Ewa light helps
pedestrian safety
A new Fort Weaver Road traffic light will improve pedestrian safety at the crosswalk where a teenage girl was struck and killed almost a year ago, state transportation officials say.
The $50,000 light, at the crosswalk near the Ewa Child and Family Service Center, should be operational by the second week of July, said Transportation Department spokesman Scott Ishikawa.
The traffic light is programmed to give pedestrians at least 20 seconds to cross the busy four-lane road, Ishikawa said. A large concrete island in the middle of the crosswalk should also aid in pedestrian crossing, he said.
The community has sought traffic safety measures on Fort Weaver Road since 16-year-old Marilene Bacani was hit by a station wagon while she crossed the street on July 9.
Marilene died two days later. It was the first pedestrian death at the crosswalk.
State Sen. Willie Espero (D, Ewa-Kapolei-Ewa Beach) said: "I know the family will be very pleased to see the light. They've put in a lot of time and effort to see that the light was installed as soon as possible."
Espero said comments from residents led to this joint city and state project.
The light is a interim solution while other safety projects are explored, Espero said.
It is "the culmination of the community working together and with the Department of Transportation to get something up as soon as possible," he said.
Ishikawa said the community "should get the credit for the traffic light."
Espero said that before the accident, he had recommended putting in either an overpass or an underpass.
"I'm still pushing for an underpass," Espero said.
Widening this section of Fort Weaver Road to six lanes from four is in the design process now, Ishikawa said.
Once Fort Weaver Road is widened, Espero said the city will have to decide whether to make the light permanent or build an underpass.
Some people are concerned that the new traffic light will increase traffic on Fort Weaver Road, according to Espero, "but in this case, safety is the first issue."
"We still believe it comes down to drivers and pedestrians," Ishikawa said. "Everybody needs to keep an eye out for everyone else."
