VIRGINIA BEACH — Two new pedestrian crossing signals that haven’t yet been used in Virginia Beach will be installed next year.

A high-intensity activated crosswalk beacon, known as HAWK signal, will be located on North Great Neck Road at its junction with the Cape Henry Trail at First Landing State Park. Another one will be located on Atlantic Avenue at 42nd Street, in front of The Cavalier Hotel.

Nationwide, HAWK signals have resulted in 29% fewer overall collisions and 55% fewer pedestrian collisions, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

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“It’s going to make it a lot safer,” said Councilman Stacy Cummings, who represents the Great Neck area district.

The total cost of the project is $782,400 and is expected to be completed no later than March 2027, but will likely be done before than, said Ric Lowman, city traffic engineer.

He and other city representatives hosted an informational meeting on the Cape Henry Trail signal last Thursday. Materials from the meeting can be viewed and comments can be made on the project’s website, virginiabeach.gov/HAWKbeacon.

The HAWK beacon is activated by pedestrians to temporarily stop vehicle traffic at a crosswalk. The lights remain dark until a pedestrian pushes a button.

Once the signal is activated, drivers will first see flashing yellow lights followed by a solid yellow light preparing them to stop. The beacon then changes to solid red, and drivers must stop, allowing pedestrians to cross.

The speed limit will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph in the section of North Great Neck Road where the HAWK signal will be installed.

The first HAWK signal installed in the region was in York County last year.

Dustie Carpenter, a resident of Cape Story By The Sea, attended the city meeting. She’s concerned that drivers make the turn onto Great Neck Road from Shore Drive won’t expect the signal, which is only about 450 feet south of Shore Drive.

“They’re going to be taken by surprise,” Carpenter said.

Linda Logan, of The Arbors at Cape Henry, suggested the city add signage on Shore Drive on approach to the signal.

A HAWK signal will be installed in front of The Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach in 2026. The signal is designed to make it safer for pedestrians to cross Atlantic Avenue. (rendering courtesy of City of Virginia Beach)

The HAWK on Atlantic Avenue will aim to allow a safer crossing option for people traversing the main thoroughfare. Concerns about pedestrian safety at that location first arose in 2023, the first summer that The Cavalier properties were fully up-and-running.

The Cavalier complex encompasses both the east and west side of Atlantic Avenue at the resort area’s North End, with three hotels, a beach club and dozens of residences. The city conducted a traffic study at that time and determined that there is a significant presence of pedestrian crossings warranting a signal or beacon.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com

https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/15/virginia-beach-pedestrian-crossings/