By Hutchinson Tribune Staff
The City of Hutchinson announced Thursday morning that it will replace the traffic lights at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Poplar Street with stop signs beginning Dec. 7.
In a news release, the city said that it determined traffic volumes, safety considerations and national standards no longer warranted traffic lights at the intersection.
“Removing unwarranted traffic signals is a proven approach that improves safety and reduces costs while maintaining effective traffic control through alternative methods such as stop signs,” the release said.
The city expects to save approximately $1,500 per year in electricity and maintenance costs by replacing the lights with stop signs. The release also said that if the city upgraded the aging traffic lights instead, it would cost about $300,000, including replacing the poles.
“In areas with low traffic volume, traffic signals can cause unnecessary delays, increase driver frustration, and contribute to rear-end collisions,” the city wrote in the release. “Replacing signals with stop signs or other appropriate controls helps reduce these risks and improve overall traffic flow.”
Beginning Dec. 7, the city will deactivate and cover the traffic lights for at least 90 days to monitor traffic conditions and safety. Full removal is scheduled for March 2027.