The city will soon flip the switch on new traffic lights at the intersection of Inkster Boulevard and Sinclair Street — and area residents say it can’t happen soon enough.

The city’s public works committee voted to place traffic signals at the corner of Inkster and Sinclair in June of last year.

The project is part of more than $1.9 million in planned traffic improvements across the city. The new traffic lights will cost an estimated $250,000.

Sharon Gunter has lived on Sinclair between Inkster and Jefferson avenues for the past 30 years.

Gunter said the intersection has become increasingly dangerous during that time and thinks the new traffic signals will help remedy the situations.

"I have never seen so much traffic coming off between the corners of Jefferson and Inkster and coming down Sinclair Street," she said last week.

"The walk across Inkster at Sinclair is a remarkably dangerous one. People’s poor driving habits have increased the need to keep pedestrians and area students safer when near this intersection."

Another area resident agrees with Gunter, noting the lights at Sinclair and Inkster have been needed for some time.

"There have been at least three accidents and more than a handful of close calls," said Barry Trotter.

Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski)  said adding the lights is less about calming traffic and more about addressing the issue of pedestrian safety.

"Pedestrians need to get across these streets safely. This intersection has quite a few pedestrians needing to cross," he said.

City spokesperson Tammy Melesko said the city is waiting on CR Rail to finish installing equipment in the area prior to switching the traffic signals on.

 "Due to the proximity of the intersection to a railway crossing, there should be a connection between both and currently the city is waiting for the railway to install their equipment," she said.

"After this will be in place, the signal will be activated."

Gunter said she can’t wait for the lights to begin working.

"It would finally help pedestrians here," she said. "The sooner the better."

CP Rail were not available for comment.

Facebook: facebook.com/The TimesWpg
Twitter: @TimesWPG

rob.brown@canstarnews.com