Traffic will be restricted at the intersection of 40^th Avenue and Lincoln Avenue this Sunday morning, December 12^th, for traffic signal improvements.

Traffic at the intersection will be restricted to one lane in each direction during the project work hours of 8:30 am to 12:00 pm on Sunday. Temporary stop signs will be in place as the signal will be off during the project work hours.

Crews will upgrade signal heads at the intersection, replacing four incandescent signal lights with all new 12-inch Light Emitting Diodes (LED) signal lights.

Because of heavy traffic volume, drivers can expect delays in the project area. Drivers should use alternate routes if possible until the work is completed. 

Drivers are reminded that the speed limit through all traffic-related work zones within the City of Yakima is 20 miles-per-hour.

As always, the schedule for this type of project is subject to change daily dependent on weather, equipment failure, and emergencies.

The LED signals are small, individual electronic lights created using applied voltage to a semiconductor chip and reflector inside a small colored lens or outer casing. In contrast, the incandescent traffic bulb depends on a colored filter to produce the appropriate color. It is a very inefficient way to light the traffic signal. The red filter on a traditional incandescent signal bulb, for example, blocks 80 percent of the light.

As a result, the City of Yakima has been updating its traffic signals with the more efficient LED lights. Earlier this year, for example, City crews completed six traffic signal upgrades in the downtown area.

For more information, contact Traffic Operations Supervisor Dan Nickoloff at 509-576-6746.