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Synchronized Traffic Lights for Panama City
07/11/08 - 12:43 PM

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Motorists in Bay County can’t travel far without seeing red, but a new project promises to reduce travel time an estimated 30%.

A $9.5 million project aims to save you time in traffic.  The Bay County Division of Traffic Management unveiled plans to synchronize stop lights, which means more green lights for you.

Last year, workers buried 50 miles of fiber optic cable.  Starting September, crews will begin phase two, connecting that cable with 92 signalized intersections.  Crews will also install 33 surveillance cameras at major intersections.  8 Cameras are already in use around the hathaway bridge.  Officials will use these cameras to spot traffic trouble and make instant adjustments.

Most of the work will be done in the evening between 9p.m. - 6a.m.  Construction is expected to take more than a year.

“We’re moving into a new era,” says DOT Public Information Officer, Tommie Speights.  “Traffic is a major problem in the Panama City-Panama City Beach area with all the tourists and congestion coming in.  So what we’re trying to do is move traffic in an easy flow.”

Project Manager Mike Eads says the first order of business will be underground work and constructing camera polls.  “I would like to see us start on the east side of town.  Start on the Callaway side, that way when we get over towards the beach area it will be off season.”