Fourth new traffic signal in Madison goes live

MADISON — The City of Madison announced Dec. 14 that the new traffic signal at the Hughes Road-Gooch Lane intersection is finally in flash mode and is expected to go live Dec. 20.

The Hughes-Gooch light is the last of four new traffic signals to go active in Madison, the other three being at the intersections of Plaza Boulevard and Hughes Road, Bradford Farms Drive and Hughes Road, and Hardiman Road and County Line Road.

The intersection at Hughes and Gooch has historically been a problematic intersection. This new light at will work to decrease automobile accidents at the intersection. The three new lights on Hughes Road will also aim to decrease wait time for drivers making left turns onto the road.

A citizen inquired about the status of the Hughes-Gooch light at a public meeting Dec. 12 concerning the widening of sections of Hughes Road and Huntsville-Brownsferry Road. Gary Chynoweth, director of Madison’s engineering department, said an electrical problem caused the delay. Since recently receiving a new component, the signal has received power to enter flash mode as of Dec. 14 to warn drivers of its presence before going live the following week.

“There should be no more reasons for them not to power it up,” Chynoweth said at the meeting.

While in flash mode, the City said Gooch Lane will continue to treat the intersection as a stop sign, and Hughes Road will treat it as a caution light. Drivers are asked to use caution in the transition period as everyone adjusts to the new light.

The City has scheduled the signal to officially go active on Thursday, Dec. 20, between 9-10 a.m.