I like the suggestion. Yet perhaps when a pedestrian pushes the button and nothing happens, he/she will assume the signal is broken. Also, if one stands there, some drivers who are confused about the new crosswalk law will assume incorrectly that they should stop, but other drivers are shooting by, and it can create a dangerous disarray.

I thought about people assuming the signal is not working and/or trying to cross on their own without the signal (being a risk). In other cities though, I've seen signal systems that acknowledge the button press and tell the pedestrian to wait. There's certainly options to avoid the above situation. With respect to seeing the the pedestrian, they could convert it to a typical green/yellow/red signaled light (with a shorter duration than the flashing lights), that could help avoid confusion because right now, half of people don't know what to do with the flashing lights anyway. Maybe I'd be one of the ones confused by said new crosswalk law: I was under the impression if the crosswalk is regulated by a light, then that's the guidance you follow (e.g. if it's not red for you, you are free to go).

I believe you are correct; at an intersection with traffic lights, cars don't have to stop for pedestrians until the light turns green. This is what I think many drivers don't understand; they screech to a halt while the lights remain green and other drivers are flying through.

I have heard that this intersection will become a standard traffic light arrangement.

I disagree with this suggestion, unless a "wait" signifier can be added. Prioritize pedestrian safety over speeding cars. Too bad the state doesn't periodically force drivers to take another written test, so they can learn things like what a flashing red light means.

Agreed, Mrs. Jones. Also too bad that our City does not prioritize enforcement of said speeding cars.

I completely disagree with the original poster. Pedestrians need safe crossing on Huron. Cars rarely have to wait more than 20 seconds at the light.

I regularly travel in and around A2 - driving and walking.
I use the Huron/Chapin crosswalk multiple times a week and the HAWK is a HUGE safety improvement. While the law is for vehicles to stop at crosswalks, before the light was installed, you were on a fool's errand to think cars would stop. Even now, pedestrian vigilance is essential for safe crossing.
The times when it is activated frequently are times when people are commuting, including more cars, pedestrians & bikes. It's a drag to get through town during these morning and evening periods, I get it. It also is what it is. Drivers need to have a realistic plan for appropriate travel time, which will vary during the day. Matching expectations to reality may stop these silly complaints.

Please consider a walk over bridge or a proper traffic light

There is now a proper traffic light at this intersection, so this issue can probably be closed.