FORT MYERS, Fla. — The construction project to improve U.S. 41 in the Fort Myers area will include pedestrian hybrid beacons. You’ll start to notice them next week, especially if the route is part of your daily commute.

You can expect to see them from Maravilla Lane to Lafayette Street, north of Lee Memorial Hospital.

It’s a signaling system for people trying to cross the street. If you want to cross — all you have to do is press the pedestrian push button.

The signal will turn yellow — then red… just like a normal traffic light.

It forces drivers to stop so people can cross the busy road.

The benefit here: if no one pushes the button, the lights won’t cycle through. So it only stops traffic when a person needs to cross.

Last year, the State of Florida recorded more than 10,000 pedestrian-related crashes, resulting in more than 760 deaths. Officials hope the new beacons will help bring those numbers down.

The beacons are up on most of the streets now and starting next Wednesday, they should be up and running.