Facing an influx of up to 750,000 visitors for the Fourth of July, Galveston has synchronized traffic lights along two major streets to help ease gridlock during one of the island’s busiest weeks of the year.
Anticipating a surge of 500,000 to 750,000 visitors on Galveston Island for the Fourth of July celebrations, city officials have implemented a new traffic solution to alleviate congestion just in time.
Mike Perkins Jr., the traffic superintendent of Galveston, revealed this week that the city has synchronized traffic signals on Avenue P and Avenue O — two vital one-way streets connecting Broadway and the beach — to enhance traffic flow as the number of visitors increases.
In a recent update on the widely followed Galveston Talk Facebook group, Perkins expressed his enthusiasm regarding the successful conclusion of the much-anticipated project. “IT IS 100 PERCENT IN SYNC IF YOU DRIVE 30 MPH,” Perkins emphasized in all caps. He mentioned that motorists adhering to that speed will catch every green light, a significant enhancement for locals preparing for one of the island’s most hectic weekends.
According to Perkins, it took five months for the equipment needed to synchronize the lights to arrive. As of last Friday, the lights along Avenue P are now fully synchronized, and the ones on Avenue O are expected to be operational by Thursday, perfectly timed for the upcoming Fourth of July rush.
Avenue P, also known as Bernardo de Galvez, serves as an essential east-west route for residents seeking options beyond the crowded tourist paths of Seawall Boulevard and Broadway. City officials are working to optimize traffic signals, aiming to provide residents with a dependable route during significant events such as Mardi Gras and the Lone Star Rally.
Residents of Galveston expressed their appreciation for the update, showering Perkins with gratitude through enthusiastic messages filled with exclamation marks and emojis.
Nonetheless, several individuals voiced doubts, pointing out the shortcomings of relying on fixed timers instead of implementing adaptive traffic control. For numerous residents on the island, any sign of progress is a cause for joy as they prepare for a demanding holiday weekend ahead.
