Georgetown will activate new traffic lights at the intersection of Northwest Boulevard and Lakeway Drive beginning Tuesday, June 9. The city also announced that nine additional intersections would receive traffic signal installations or upgrades.
Stop signs previously regulated traffic at the intersection. "We do about 10 plus traffic studies looking at intersections per year." Saluone said, the Georgetown city transportation manager. Traffic lights are warranted if an intersection experiences five or more preventable crashes per year or if traffic studies indicate an increase in vehicle volume over time.
"We're adding probably 3 to 4 signals a year as a city. Developers are also contributing and constructing signals out here on our roadways, and they're probably adding about 3 to 4 signals every year." she said.
Local resident Monica Zamarron commented on the changes. "We just really miss our hometown, Georgetown. It's just gotten to be a really big city." Zamarron said. She also noted issues with existing traffic controls. "There are so many places around here that have four-way stops that people don't use the stop signs correctly." Zamarron said.
A temporary traffic signal is operating at Sam Houston Avenue and Rockride Lane. A traffic signal for Westinghouse Road and Maple Street is in the design phase.