New traffic signal on Palm and Glassell scheduled to start operation on April 28

A diagonal crosswalk?  Yes, it’s a thing.

On Tuesday morning, April 28, public works crews will be working to bring the traffic signal at Palm and Glassell to full operation by afternoon.  Currently it is flashing red and is still a four-way stop with regular pedestrian crossing.

“On Tuesday, when it converts to a fully functioning traffic signal, the pedestrian crossing pattern and vehicle traffic pattern will be different than we are used to in Old Towne Orange,” said Randy Burba, chief of Chapman University’s Department of Public Safety.  “The signal is designed to allow all-way pedestrian crossing.  This means when the walk indicator is displayed, pedestrians can cross in all directions, including diagonally. However, when the traffic signal is green for vehicles, all pedestrian crossing are prohibited. This should be beneficial to the flow of both vehicles and pedestrians — but because it is something very different than what our community is used to, we wanted to provide some advance notice of the change.”

It’s important for both pedestrians and motorists to abide by the instructions provided at the signal to avoid a collision, Burba added.

City of Orange police officers and Chapman Public Safety officers will be at the intersection for several days, as their availability permits, to facilitate a smooth transition.

For further information, contact the City of Orange or Chief Burba.