Traffic light is working at Glenwood exit

BY JOHN GARDNER
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
November 9, 2007

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There is a new traffic light at the eastbound Interstate-70 116 exit to Glenwood Springs.

"It was turned on Wednesday," Colorado Department of Transportation resident engineer Pete Mertes said. "I haven't noticed if it's helped the back up of morning traffic yet, but we are confident that it's going to."

Installation started in September and was completed in October. The light was turned on and flashing for about a week prior to Wednesday's initial run. But it could be a few more weeks before drivers notice a difference in congestion, according to Mertes.

"We have to study traffic patterns to get the right timing to preset the light," Mertes said. "That could take a couple of weeks to dial in before everything is running smoothly."

A computer simulation of traffic patterns was completed by CDOT before the light was installed, Mertes said, but the simulation can only do so much.

"It really takes someone being out there and watching the traffic during heavy traffic periods to get the timing accurate," Mertes said.



Contact John Gardner: 384-9114

jgardner@postindependent.com



Post Independent, Glenwood Springs, Colorado CO