Folks heading to and from the Lawrence Arts Center soon will be able to stop traffic with the push of a button.

Crews are installing new pedestrian-activated signals for the New Hampshire Street crosswalk between the city parking garage and the arts center, 940 N.H.

Support poles went up Tuesday, and signals should be operational within two weeks, said David Woosley, the city’s traffic engineer. Lawrence city commissioners approved the work — and its estimated $35,000 price tag — back in July.

The overhead signals will be similar to those at a crossing on 11th Street, midway between New York and New Jersey streets. The signals go red at the press of a button, then turn to flashing red — the signal version of a stop sign — soon after pedestrians start to cross.

That way, Woosley said, stopped vehicles will be able to proceed once pedestrians have passed, instead of waiting for the light to turn green.

“It helps save a little bit of time,” Woosley said.