New Traffic Signal Planned for Southwestern Boulevard

The state plans to install a new traffic signal intended to relieve chronic congestion through Arbutus produced by commuters from the , according to officials.

The new light at Southwestern Boulevard and Linden Avenue will be coordinated with the existing light at Linden and East Drive to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic.

On most weekday afternoons, a steady stream of cars carrying MARC station commuters snakes through Arbutus toward the ramp leading to the Beltway inner loop that runs off Leeds Avenue.

The bumper-to-bumper traffic is not only an inconvenience to commuters, but can interfere with responses of the through a major route, officials said.

Much of the problem will be relieved in 2015, when opens to traffic.

At a recent meeting of the Southwest Leadership Team, Del. James Malone said that $300,000 had been budgeted for the traffic signal system, which is being installed as quickly as possible.

"They're expediting it as we speak," he said to the group that meets monthly at the .

SHA spokesperson David Buck said the turnaround time to install a traffic signal typically takes 12-15 months.

"There are a handful of things that need to happen before a signal can be turned on," Buck said, such as environmental review, surveying, and determining the location of nearby utilities.

Buck said that the signal at Linden and Southwestern Boulevard should be operational within one year, possibly as short as 6-9 months.

The final cost for the project is expected to run $175,000 to $250,000, according to Buck.