"This really did fulfill a serious need," said Manhattan Beach Mayor Joe Franklin. "What was here before not only was dangerous in terms of the traffic but also had obstacles to walking and it wasn't in very good shape. But now not only is it properly graded, properly filled in and everything, we've also got the lights that actually indicate that there's someone in the crosswalk."

The project was funded by what city officials called a "strategic use of funds," combining transportation grant money and funding from the city's Capital Improvement Plan.

Seniors and other local residents gathered for the ribbon-cutting on Tuesday afternoon and tested out the new crosswalk lights for themselves.