Transportation board may reject bids for flashing beacon project in Gold Canyon

Rejecting all bids for the installation of a rapid rectangular flashing beacon at Kings Ranch Road at Sunrise Sky Drive in Gold Canyon is to be considered at the next meeting of the Arizona State Transportation Board.

A public hearing and board meeting will be held a 9 a.m. Friday, May 17 at the Tucson Council Chambers, 255 W. Alameda St. in Tucson.

The estimated cost of the project is $196,000. The project was advertised on June 16, 2022, and bids were to be opened on July 22, 2022, but there were no bidders, according to a Project Review Board request form.

“The project was readvertised on March 15, 2023, and bids were opened on June 16, 2023. The lowest bid was substantially higher than the department`s estimate and Pinal County requested that the transportation board reject all bids. The county has decided to not move forward with this project using federal aid. Pinal County has indicated that their intent is to construct the project on their own,” it states.

The rectangular rapid flash beacon is a traffic-control device designed to increase driver awareness of pedestrians crossing roadways at marked midblock crossings or uncontrolled intersections, according to the website of the Arizona Department of Transportation.

“The beacons consist of rectangular-shaped amber light emitting diodes — LEDs — installed below pedestrian warning signs. The beacons remain ‘dark’ until a pedestrian desiring to cross the street pushes the call button to activate the flashing lights. The lights flash in an irregular flash pattern that is similar to emergency flashers on police vehicles. The flashing lights are intended to attract the driver’s attention and reinforce the driver’s duty to yield to pedestrians in the marked crosswalk,” it states at https://azdot.gov/business/transportation-systems-management-and-operations/operational-and-traffic-safety/az-step-8 .

Municipalities in Arizona that have constructed rectangular rapid flash beacons include Chandler, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Pima County, Scottsdale, and Tucson, it states.