Traffic signal work to begin Monday

City crews will begin removing six of the 18 downtown traffic signals on Monday, Aug. 3. The signals that will be removed are located on Central and Cleveland at Second, Third and Fourth Streets.

This is the first phase in a larger project to improve traffic flow in the central business district and to complement the recent sidewalk and lighting improvements made in the area.

Two-way stop signs will be installed following the removal of the traffic signals. North/south traffic will be controlled by the stop signs and east/west traffic will have the right-of-way at all six intersections. Drivers are urged to use extra caution at these intersections while acclimating to the change in traffic control.

The second phase of the project will replace the existing traffic signals on Grand Avenue from Pine to Seventh Street with black signal poles that more closely blend into the historic downtown environment. The new poles will have shorter mast arms to soften their visual impact, period light fixtures, and new decorative street name signs.

The removal phase of the project on Central and Cleveland is expected to take three to four weeks. The replacement phase on Grand will take 16 to 18 weeks. During the time that the signals on Grand are being replaced, the intersections will be operated under temporary four-way stop control.

For more information, call Mike Lane, Traffic Engineering Manager, at 580-767-0327.