The Jonesboro Public Works Committee has approved a series of pedestrian safety upgrades along Highway 91, advancing the proposal to the full City Council for consideration.
The initiative stems from a joint traffic and pedestrian study conducted by the city and the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The study identified the Johnson Avenue corridor, one of Jonesboro’s busiest pedestrian crossing areas, as a priority zone for improvements.
The proposed plan includes the installation of a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signal near Melrose Street. These systems, designed to alert drivers to pedestrians in a crossing, are already demonstrating effectiveness elsewhere in the city. Jonesboro’s first HAWK light, installed in 2024, has logged nearly 100,000 pedestrian activations, according to Chief Administrative Officer Brian Richardson.
Another component of the proposal is a significant lighting upgrade along Highway 91. Plans call for bright LED streetlights to be installed from Main Street to the Arkansas State University campus to enhance visibility and safety for pedestrians.
With the committee’s endorsement, the pedestrian safety measures now await a decision by the Jonesboro City Council.