In early March, a City of Mountlake Terrace Public Works crew installed two school zone flashing yellow beacon and sign assemblies near Mountlake Terrace Elementary School to slow traffic during student arrival and departure times.
The assemblies are located on 52nd Avenue West for southbound traffic and on 220th Street SW for eastbound traffic. The solar powered beacons are mounted on poles with “Speed Limit 20” signs and “when flashing” placards.
On school days, the beacons are programmed to start flashing 30 minutes before school starts. They turn off 20 minutes after the morning bell to accommodate late arriving students. In the afternoon, the beacons start flashing ten minutes before school is dismissed and continue for 40 minutes. When the lights are flashing, the speed limit is 20 mph even if no children are present.
The purchase and installation of the flashing beacon and sign assemblies were funded by a $7,400 grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
Thanks to Mark Hopkins for the photos.
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