Intersection In Horizon City To Get Traffic Lights

by Stephanie Valle

HORIZON CITY — Waiting in long traffic lines is the last thing any driver would want to do on their way to work or on their way back home. That is exactly what thousands of Horizon City residents have to face when they drive near the intersection of Darrington and Eastlake.

Many said the situation has been going on for months.

“It’s pretty bad, traffic probably backs up for more than a mile,” said Horizon City Alderwoman Renee Shufeldt. “Especially during school hours.”

Shufeldt said the booming population of Horizon City is one of the factors that is to blame for the delays. She also said the intersection is the main entrance into the city and has stop lights instead of traffic lights.

Some residents said many drivers decide to cross the intersection through the parking lot of a gasoline station in the corner instead of waiting in traffic.They hope traffic lights will keep them from doing the unsafe act.

“It gets dangerous, they drive through the station really fast in order to avoid the stop sign,” one resident said. Shufeldt said she had a close call in that same parking lot. “I pulled in and two cars almost hit me,” she said.

Thetown has scheduled an engineer to survey the intersection and install a four-way traffic light on the intersection. Shufeldt is hoping it will only take six months for the lights to be installed. So are some Horizon City residents.

“I’m glad they’re finally doing something about it because it’s long overdue,” said one relieved driver. “We really need the lights.”