After several months of delays, highway safety improvement project is drawing to a close
A truck crosses Hwy. 45 on Wednesday as north-south traffic stops on red. New traffic lights at the Southwest Avenue and Pratts Road crossings of Hwy. 45 went live Tuesday. News photo/Jason Collum
Traffic control lights at two intersections along Hwy. 45 in Baldwyn went active Tuesday, and drivers are having to get used to the change.
Lights at Southwest Avenue and Pratts Road were activated by the Mississippi Department of Transportation are radar controlled to help maintain a smoother traffic flow. However, drivers need to exercise greater caution in getting used to the lights. Already since Tuesday at least two minor accidents have occurred in the area.
Most reaction to the lights has been positive on social media.
Another reason to exercise caution is MDOT has not completed applying permanent striping in the area. Motorists should watch for highway workers in the coming days.
You Said:
- It’s a real blessing and a long time coming. Love it! It will surely help. -Russ Vickers
- Waste of money people need to learn how to drive. -Danny Gray
- I think it will help the intersections tremendously! -Christin Magers
- Once people get used to it, it will be fine. Save some lives hopefully. -Sandra Bishop
- I think the one at Pratts Road is necessary due to the volume of traffic turning in to Toyota. Not sure I agree with the one at Git-N- Go. Not a heavy traffic volume and turns and crossings can be made safely with reasonable driving skills. -Joe Collins
- HMR has over 1,000 employees coming in at 7 and leaving at 4:30. They dwarf Toyota in size, plus the other 200 at the other furniture plant. The lights are badly needed. -David R. Jenkins
- So proud they are finally on. We live off Southwest Ave and it has been more confusing with them up and not working than now. It gives me more peace of mind for my children to be crossing the bypass now when they are driving. -Shasta Townsend Hollins
- Have worked many bad wrecks at the Git-N-Go area. A small dip in southbound lanes also causes a problem trying to turn down 2878. Dangerous area. Glad they are finally up and going! -Jo Escher
