Project Description and Purpose

A proposed project to install a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon at the crosswalk on Ederlee Drive near Peregrine Place in Cary was awarded funding in January 2026 and approved by the N.C. Board of Transportation in March 2026 as project HS-2605N. The N.C. Department of Transportation has begun designing the project and, based on timelines for similar signal projects, as well as federal requirements that must be followed for federally funded projects, bid advertisement is expected in October 2028.

NCDOT is committed to moving this project forward as quickly as possible and will continue looking for opportunities to expedite construction of the improvements at this location.

Interim Improvements (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons)

With the support of NCDOT, the Town of Cary will install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) to enhance crosswalk visibility on Ederlee Drive until the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon is in place. This system features accessible roadside push buttons that trigger beacons at the crosswalk and several hundred feet ahead, alerting drivers to pedestrians waiting to cross.

RRFB’s are warning devices, not control devices, so pedestrians must continue to use caution when crossing and not assume that drivers will stop when the beacon is flashing.  Similarly, pedestrians are not required to activate the RRFB when crossing, and drivers must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk regardless of whether the beacon is flashing.

Cary staff is scheduled to install the RRFB in October 2026, according to the plan linked here.

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons

A pedestrian hybrid beacon is a device used to assist pedestrians in marked crosswalks and control traffic at locations without signal lights. It is activated by a pedestrian pushing a button on the beacon pole. Pedestrian hybrid beacons are used when it is difficult for pedestrians to cross a roadway (gaps in traffic or the speed limit is over 35 mph).

How It Works for Drivers

• Dark: The lights are off. 
  • Drivers may go straight through at the normal speed limit.

• Flashing Yellow: The light flashes yellow.         
  • Drivers must slow down.

• Solid Yellow: The light turns solid yellow.         
  •  Drivers must stop if it is safe to do so.

• Solid Red: Two red lights shine steadily.             
  • Drivers must come to a complete stop.

• Flashing Red: The red lights flash alternately.   
  • Drivers must stop, check that the crosswalk is clear of pedestrians, and then proceed with caution (like a stop sign)

How It Works for Pedestrians

• Push Button: Press the button at the crosswalk to start the signal.

• Wait: Look at the pedestrian signal. Wait until it shows a steady Walk sign.

• Check Traffic: Make sure all cars have stopped before you step into the street.

• Cross: Walk across the street. A countdown timer will show how many seconds are left. [1, 2, 3]

More information about Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons and other types of Pedestrian Safety Between Intersections options is available on the NCDOT website.

Sign Up for project updates

NCDOT will provide updates as the project moves forward

PROJECT CONTACT 

David Webb 

2612 N. Duke Street

Durham, NC  27704

pedestrian-beacon-ederlee@publicinput.com 

984-205-6615  enter code 11238 to leave a message

Page last updated: September 8, 2026

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