JANUARY 30, 2014
LUBBOCK — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will be installing new traffic signals with flashing yellow left turn arrows next week at the I-27/82nd Street and the US 87/98th Street intersections as part of an effort to upgrade the signals to meet Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) standards. The traffic signals are set go online on Feb 3.
The westbound left turn on 82nd Street will be retrofitted with a four-section flashing yellow arrow signal head, while both the eastbound and westbound left turns on 98th Street will be upgraded.
“The flashing-yellow, left-turn arrows were adopted in 2009 by the FHWA as the national standard for permissive left-turn signals,” said George Villarreal, P.E., TxDOT traffic engineer. “The signals are now being used by TxDOT and local jurisdictions across the state.”
Motorists should be aware that oncoming traffic has a green light when the flashing yellow arrow is displayed, Villarreal noted.
“The flashing yellow-arrow, left-turn signals are gradually being phased in to replace the traditional circular green signals,” Villarreal added. “The flashing yellow arrow is being used to indicate traffic is permitted to turn left but must still yield to oncoming traffic. This is different from the old green arrow signal which means traffic turning left is protected and has the right of way.”
Flashing yellow arrows will continue to be retrofitted where appropriate at existing signals when traffic control equipment is upgraded or replaced.
For more information, contact Dianah.Ascencio@txdot.gov or (806) 748-4472.
