KINGSVILLE, Texas — A busy intersection in Kingsville will soon have a new traffic signal that will require those who frequent the area to make some adjustments.
The new traffic signal will be activated starting next week on Thursday, April 4 and will be at the intersection of SH-141, the King Ranch and West Santa Gertrudis Street.
Rickey Dailey said what used to be a blinking yellow traffic light will now be a fully functioning traffic signal that will go through a red, yellow and green sequence.
“We need drivers to be aware of the change in the traffic pattern and approach that intersection with caution because it's new," Dailey said.
He said the installation of the new traffic signal is part of a project that will add passing lanes on SH-141 in Kingsville to US 281.
"The King Ranch and the Santa Gertrudis school asked us if we could speed up the installation of the traffic signal, and TxDOT was happy to do that. That's why that traffic signal is in ahead of this project that's going to start,” he said.
Dailey said the department has added multiple forms of advance warning signals leading up to the intersection including signage and rumble strips.
"We've also reduced the speed limit on SH-141, from that intersection, toward SH-281 where people are coming in from Falfurrias to 45mph," he said.
Kleberg County Sheriff Richard Kirkpatrick urges drivers who frequent the intersection to pay close attention to the new traffic patterns.
"I think it's going to be a very good thing in the future," Kirkpatrick said. "I know there might be a little pain for people and drivers to be aware that it's there because it is something that they're going to have to get used to. It's being done in a matter to prevent these fatality wrecks, any of that kind of stuff. Because we've had some serious accidents there. We're looking at it from a public safety standpoint and I can tell you that we're very thankful to TxDOT for getting this signal out that is much needed for our community. "
To help prevent any confusion or accidents, Dailey encourages those in the area to let others know of the changes coming next week.
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