The Citizens Traffic Commission voted unanimously in favor of the installation of a traffic light on the intersection of 93rd Street and Quaker Avenue.
The estimated budget for the traffic signal is $100,000-$120,000, and the commission will now seek approval for the budget from City Council.
City of Lubbock Traffic Engineer, Sharmon Owens said neighbors in the surrounding area of the intersection have made requests for a traffic light starting back in 2010.
For the past seven years the Traffic Engineering Department has conducted extensive volume data over the intersection, and they’ve come to the conclusion that traffic would benefit from the light.
“Anytime a collecting street intersects with a thoroughfare street we have an idea that a street like could potentially go there,” Owens said. “We kept our eye on it and we did get multiple requests over the years that reminded us ‘okay we need to check the volume data again.”
According to the Traffic Department’s data, out of 570 letters sent out from residents, 32% of residents responded in opposition to the traffic light, and 68% were in favor.
Resident of Lakeridge, Peter Wierzba said he doesn’t think the light is in a good location so close to the S curve.
“I think a lot of people are looking at the traffic light as a speed control device and that’s not what it’s meant for,” Wierzba said. “I think a traffic light a bit north would be a better alternative because I think it would allow people to slow down and react to the signal.”
Resident on 95th street, Ashton Thornhill said he is in favor of the stop light and thinks it will do a good job at slowing down traffic.
“I’ve seen two fatalities from my kitchen window and I’ve seen them pick up the bodies and take them away and it’s because the traffic is so heavy and so fast around that curve and there needs to be a way to stop the speed and I think a traffic light will do that.” Thornhill said.
The proposed installation will now be discussed by City Council to have the budget approved.
To learn more about the status of the traffic light and the volume data you can click here.