Discreet during daylight but distinctive after dark, Los Altos’ new crosswalks include a recorded warning that pedestrians must cross with caution, as the new system offers no guarantee cars will indeed stop.

Five pedestrian flashing crosswalks have been installed along San Antonio Road in Los Altos, and a sixth installation is in the works.

The project cost came in at $112,000, well under the city’s $202,000 allocation. The Los Altos City Council voted Feb. 12 to use the surplus to install an additional flashing crosswalk at Pine Lane for an estimated $40,000.

By installing multiple crosswalks at the same time and using existing poles and solar power, the city was able to economize and build the crosswalks for approximately $20,000 each. Using solar panels prevents the need to dig trenches for an electrical system.

Engineering Services Manager Jim Gustafson said staff had considered two intersections for the sixth light, and selected Pine Lane over Lyell Street due to a desire to spread the lighted intersections along San Antonio. Pepper Drive, one block from Lyell, received one of the first five crosswalk systems.

In addition to the audio warning feature on the new pedestrian lights, city staff is considering extending the default 20-second flashing period by at least five seconds.

“We don’t think that’s quite long enough, because pedestrians are waiting for cars to stop before they enter the intersection,” Gustafson said.

Staff is scheduled to return to the council with additional crosswalk location recommendations in April or May. Council members David Casas and Megan Satterlee raised the need for increased pedestrian safety at the intersection of Homestead Road and Fallen Leaf Lane, where walkers must traverse a tricky entrance into Trader Joe’s parking lot.