City addresses Antilley-Memorial traffic congestion

Many residents raised concerns about traffic jams at the intersection of Antilley Road and Memorial Drive. A new four-way traffic light had recently been installed and had been running on a regular schedule since the previous Friday, February 21. Motorists felt that the new addition was having a negative impact on traffic.

“First, I want to say I think it’s good the city is looking forward and putting lights in those busy spots…I do think it’s a little bit difficult now. Lights are too long, they stay on red a little too long for the Antilley traffic… I was hoping they could adjust that because some of the cross-traffic, it was green for them, and there was no cars.” Said Fairway Oaks Resident Mike Langford.

Langford said that his wife had seen traffic on that first Monday morning rush hour, reporting cars backed bumper to bumper along Antilley Road, which is just under a mile long and runs from Memorial Drive to Fairway Oaks Boulevard.

While Langford says he heard this concern from other residents in the area, he feels it is nothing more than an adjustment period that could take time for the city to properly tweak.

“I’m sure people are talking to the city and saying this is not good, but it’s good the light’s there. It’s gonna make things better. They just have to adjust the times on it.” Langford said.

His assessment accurately reflected the city’s prior actions. KTAB/KRBC reached out for comments, and Abilene’s Director of Public Works, Max Johnson, noted a timing issue with the traffic lights identified during the Monday morning rush.

“The new signal at Antlilley and Memorial went into full operation on the evening of February 21st. The signal operated through the weekend, allowing the traveling public time to adjust. The new signal’s first peak traffic period was Monday morning, February 24. During that timeframe, the city learned detection cameras were not properly operating, creating a backup down both lanes of Antilley. The city adjusted the signal to correct the camera deficiencies immediately following the peak morning period. The city observed traffic flow for the evening peak traffic period and the Tuesday morning peak period. During both peak times, traffic flowed efficiently with minimal delays. This intersection has been considered several times for a full signal. In the past year, traffic studies justified that need. The city encourages all drivers to be attentive when approaching and traveling through this newly signalized intersection. We anticipate the signal should increase the traveling public’s safety at this intersection and in the surrounding area.”
-Max Langford, City of Abilene Director of Public Works.

The Antilley-Memorial intersection will also be the site of the third Abilene Braums location, which is already under construction. With the Wylie area experiencing more commercial and residential expansion, this new traffic light installation is hoped to help manage the new traffic that will frequent the area as well as the regular traffic.

The Antilley-Memorial intersection will also be the site of the third Abilene Braums location, which is already under construction. As Wylie expands commercially and residentially, a new traffic light is expected to help manage increased and regular traffic.