New, responsive traffi c confi guration means less wait time

PROJECT UPDATE

The recent upgrade to the light at Golden Rain Road and St. Andrews Drive is now substantially complete. The light is working as designed with one small exception, which should be fixed by the end of the month.

That means the traffic signal controller now activates an exclusive pedestrian phase—which stops all vehicular movement so pedestrians can cross in all crosswalks at the same time—only when a pedestrian pushes the button.

Until the repair was finished last week, the pedestrian cycle routinely stopped traffic for 40 seconds, even when there is no one crossing the intersection.

The last piece of the upgrade will add an audible “walk” command to the system when the pedestrian cycle is triggered. Currently, the system beeps. That repair will be made in the next few weeks. The phasing also includes a dedicated left-turn signal over the channel only.

The $347,000 project was undertaken to increase pedestrian safety at that intersection.

It began last year in keeping with the findings of a traffic study to improve safety features. The GRF Board approved the project in July 2024.

The traffi c controller at the intersection of Golden Rain Road and St. Andrews Drive now activates an exclusive pedestrian phase only when the someone pushes the button.

Paul Kryczko