New Crosswalk Lights Installed at Two San Clemente Intersections

With 25 percent of the in-pavement crosswalk lights failing at two San Clemente intersections, the city decided to replace all of them.

City and Orange County Sheriff’s officials considered the situation on El Camino Real at Avenida Cabrillo and Avenida Granada an emergency.

“Pedestrians have a reasonable expectation that activating the push button will in turn activate the flashing lights to warn oncoming vehicles of their presence in the crosswalk,” wrote Tom Frank, transportation engineering manager in a report to the City Council.

Because the manufacturer has discontinued making the lights, City Manager Pall Gudgeirsson decided to replace all of them, at a cost of $45,400.

Construction was expected to conclude today.

The council will consider retroactively approving the expenditure, which will come out of a gas tax fund.

The City Council meets 6 p.m. Tuesday at the San Clemente Civic Center, 100 Avenida Presidio.