Donegal County Council has assured motorists that the aim of the new traffic lights system at the Polestar Roundabout in Letterkenny is to improve traffic flow in the town.
The much-talked about plan is set to go live on Tuesday next, October 17th.
The council has reassured motorists that the traffic light system will be managed to ensure a better traffic flow in and around the roundabout.
The Polestar Roundabout is a ket element to traffic flow in Donegal’s biggest town.
In a statement issued today, the council said the new lights are a key element to “the overall Letterkenny Urban Traffic Management Project which focusses on delivering improved traffic flow in Letterkenny.”
A spokesperson explained “The traffic signals will share out the green time among the four arms of the roundabout based on the volumes on each arm at any time.
“This will speed up the flow on some arms and slow down the flow on other arms resulting in improved operation of this key junction.”
The statement added that the main objective of the Polestar Signalisation Project is to improve traffic flow at the Polestar Roundabout while also providing safe facilities for pedestrians and cyclists at the roundabout.
Improvements at the Polestar Roundabout include:
Installation of traffic signals on each approach and on the circulatory carriageway of the roundabout.
Amendment of the lane markings and signage to direct motorists to the appropriate traffic lane when using the signalised junction.
Provision of improved pedestrian and cyclist facilities including new signal-controlled crossings.
The new traffic signals will be switched on Tuesday 17th of October 2023. This will commence a commissioning process where the phases of the lights will be adjusted to give optimum traffic flow. As part of this commissioning process the lights may be switched-off at intervals to facilitate a series of tests, calibrations and adjustments. The commissioning of the traffic signals will be completed over a period of 2 weeks, followed by routine checks thereafter.
It is likely that traffic delays will be experienced as the traffic signals are being commissioned and as motorists get used to the new layout and signals. Donegal County Council requests all users of the roundabout familiarise themselves with the revised road layout and to follow the direction signage and road markings to navigate the roundabout safely and effectively.
The adjacent project on the Four Lane Road also includes a number of traffic signals. These signals have not yet been activated and they will not be switched on until after the Polestar Roundabout traffic signals are working effectively.
Donegal County Council said it would like to thank the public in advance for their co-operation in the delivery of this important phase of the project.