NW Valley Times

Crews from Next Generation Electrical, contracted by the City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM), will be working on the Drexel Road and Park Avenue intersection to improve safety as part of the voter-approved Proposition 411 Tucson Delivers Safe Streets Program. The work will involve removing old traffic signals and activating new ones with flashing yellow arrows. The project is scheduled for Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

During the work, the traffic signals will not be operational, and lane restrictions will be in place at the intersection for all travel directions. Law enforcement officers will be present to direct traffic and ensure the safety of motorists and construction personnel. The public is advised to expect delays and to obey all traffic control signs.

The upgrade to flashing yellow left turn arrows is part of DTM's efforts to improve intersections throughout the community. According to research, flashing yellow arrows have been shown to reduce left turn collisions. Additionally, the conversion to flashing yellow arrows provides flexibility in managing traffic flow. Left turns can be prohibited during certain times, and pedestrians can be given priority by stopping left turning traffic with a red arrow until the pedestrian has crossed safely.

Motorists are reminded to yield to pedestrians, oncoming motorists, and bicyclists during a flashing left turn arrow and to proceed with caution when turning left.

The Drexel Road and Park Avenue intersection upgrade is just one of the many projects funded by Proposition 411, also known as Tucson Delivers – Better Streets | Safe Streets. This voter-approved 10-year half-cent sales tax extension aims to improve neighborhood streets and implement systemwide street safety projects. The program is estimated to generate $740 million in sales tax revenue, with 80 percent dedicated to neighborhood streets and 20 percent allocated to street safety projects.

For more information about Tucson Delivers – Better Streets | Safe Streets, visit the official website at tucsondelivers.tucsonaz.gov/pages/better-streets-safe-streets.

In conclusion, the City of Tucson is committed to delivering safe streets through the implementation of various improvement projects. The upcoming work at the Drexel Road and Park Avenue intersection is part of the larger effort to enhance traffic safety and reduce collisions. Motorists are urged to exercise caution and follow the instructions of law enforcement officers and traffic control signs during the construction period.