Construction. Construction. Construction.

Driving around Southlake, it’s hard not to notice something being built or worked on. With development booming, it’s not surprising. It’s important then to let you know that, despite the headaches of navigating through slow traffic and what seems like endless construction, projects are being completed or reaching their end point. That is why below you’ll find updates on a handful of the projects we've got going on around the City...

If you're out driving along Southlake Blvd (FM 1709) today, you may notice work crews installing brand new traffic signals at some of the intersections.  Now, your first reaction may be a sigh, followed by “what’s going on now?” and then a hurried phone call to Public Works for an answer to that question. So before we get to that point, here’s what’s happening:

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is in the process of installing new, flashing yellow left-turn arrow (FYA) traffic signals at intersections along Southlake Blvd (FM 1709) - exceptions include Davis Blvd, White Chapel Blvd, Carroll Ave, and Kimball Ave.  For the next two weeks, you’ll see TxDOT contractors on Southlake Blvd putting up these new traffic signals, with work beginning at the eastern most point of Southlake Blvd and  moving west.

Now, on to the important question; why do we need this?

Well there are two good reasons. The first has to do with new protected left turn configurations adopted by the Federal and State Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Individual states are adopting these new MUTCD configurations with the expectation that all states will adopt them. For Texas, this means that TxDOT operated roadways will be expected to adopt them as well in order to be compliant with this new configuration. In short, it’s mandatory and has to be done.

The second reason is for improved safety and mobility. A Federal Highway Administration study demonstrated that FYA traffic signals help prevent crashes, move more traffic through intersections, and provide additional traffic management flexibility. With the installation of these new traffic signals then, we hope to see some of these same benefits along Southlake Blvd (FM 1709), which will in turn help us improve both safety and mobility for motorists along this roadway.  

To view a video of how these signals will work, or if would like more information about the traffic signals in general, visit the Flashing Yellow Arrow traffic signal project webpage here. 

Till next time. Drive safe.