McAllen to remove more than 10 traffic signals downtown

McALLEN — More than 10 traffic signals downtown will likely be removed in the coming months as the city tries to increase traffic flow across McAllen.

City leaders are confident signals at the following intersections will be removed, pending a completed study:

>> South 12th Street and West Jackson Avenue;

>> South Broadway Street and Chicago Avenue;

>> South Broadway Street and Beaumont Avenue;

>> South Main Street and Erie Avenue;

>> South Main Street and Dallas Avenue;

>> South Main Street and Beaumont Avenue;

>> South Main Street and Austin Avenue;

>> South 15th Street and West Houston Avenue;

>> South 15th Street and Beaumont Avenue;

>> South 16th Street and West Houston Avenue;

>> South 16th Street and Beaumont Avenue;

>> and South 17th Street and Business 83.

The city has a “high level of confidence” the study will conclude and these lights will be removed. The first step in removing a traffic signal in the city is often a sign posting for a 90-day period informing motorists that the traffic signal will be removed.

The removals are an ongoing effort to improve traffic flow throughout the city, which voters agreed was a need. In May, McAllen voters approved a $3 million bond to improve traffic across the city. That bond, which will cost taxpayers roughly $3 per year, is slated to fund traffic studies, control improvements, signal synchronization, hardware, fiber and new equipment.

Yvette Barrera, the city engineer, said that over time, some traffic signals no longer become necessary. Her boss agreed.

“It’s just as important to remove signals when they’re not needed as it is to add them when they’re needed,” said City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez.