WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Help on the way to ease traffic congestion

Help on the way to ease traffic congestion

By Chris McGill - bio | email 

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - If you normally find yourself spending a lot of extra time in traffic because you keep getting stopped by traffic lights, there may be some help on the way. On Monday Mayor Jerry Abramson and Sixth District Congressman John Yarmuth announced plans to synchronize the traffic lights along four major suburban routes in Metro Louisville.

The project will affect the lights along Preston Highway, Hurstbourne Parkway, Dixie Highway and Shelbyville Road.

"When you look at these major thoroughfares like Dixie Highway, Shelbyville Road, Hurstbourne, Preston Highway ... we've got more cars moving and creating difficulties because of the 350-plus traffic lights that stop the cars and trucks from time to time," Abramson said.

The synchronization is designed to allow quicker commute times for motorists while saving money and the environment with less pollution being put out by idling vehicles.

Congressman John Yarmuth thinks it's a win-win situation.

"This is a perfect example of a partnership among local, state and federal government to try to something that not only will make people's lives a little bit better but will be a major economic factor," Yarmuth said.

The entire project is expected to cost nearly $7 million. Of that, $4 million will come from the federal government, $1.5 million from stimulus funds, $650,000 from state funds and $1 million from the local budget.

Dixie Highway and Shelbyville Road will be the first two routes to see the new synchronization sometime in 2010, with Hurstbourne Parkway and Preston Highway coming on board shortly after that.

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