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Photo provided by Rebecca Weaver

New traffic signals that will allow for protected left turns at the McDonough and Candler railroad crossings in Decatur are still in bags, which has been their status for months now.

But could that be changing soon? Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon says it’s possible.

“We should have a schedule update in the next week or so and our goal is to have the new signals operational by the end of the month,” he said.

While the situation has been frustrating to drivers, Saxon said getting the signals turned on hasn’t been easy.

“These intersections are complicated – each crossing is actually  two intersections adjacent to each other that are separated by the railroad tracks,” Saxon said. “Because there are so many elements at each crossing – new protected left turns on several additional legs at each intersection, the regular traffic signals, pedestrian signals, the railroad pre-emption – some special equipment is required to make the signals work as planned. [The Georgia Department of Transportation] is providing new advanced traffic controllers (the cabinets that house the technology to run the system) as well as additional signal heads at no cost to the City. The equipment is presently undergoing final testing and programming.”

Saxon said things will be safer for everyone once the new traffic lights are operating.

“The technology that will be used in the railroad crossing improvements is innovative and will help improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists at these intersections,” he said. “We appreciate GDOT’s cooperation and its willingness to contribute significant resources to this project as well as other pedestrian safety improvements in the City of Decatur.”

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