NEW TURN ARROWS INSTALLED AT TWO SIOUX FALLS INTERSECTIONS

(Sioux Falls) New directional arrows will be installed on traffic lights at the intersection of 10^th Street and Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls today and at 11^th and Minnesota Avenue Wednesday. The arrows will guide traffic through the intersection while allowing pedestrians to get a five-second head start when crossing those streets. The lights are expected to be fully operational by Thursday afternoon.

The Department of Transportation encourages drivers to become familiar with the new signals:

Green Arrow – motorized traffic should move in the direction the arrow is indicating.

Yellow Arrow - motorized traffic that has entered the intersection in the direction the arrow is pointing should proceed and clear the intersection.

Red Arrow – motorized traffic should not enter the intersection in the direction the arrow is pointing.

The standard red, yellow and green lights will continue to be used for through traffic in these intersections in addition to the turn arrows.

Because there will be times when different lanes have different indicators, the SDDOT asks each driver to follow the signal in front of him or her. The department also reminds drivers to watch for pedestrians when making right and left hand turns.

While the new lights will hold traffic to assist pedestrians in crossing the street, the signals for pedestrians will remain the same:

Walking Person – pedestrians facing the signal may start crossing the street.

Flashing Upraised Hand – pedestrians in the crosswalk should finish crossing. Those who haven’t begun crossing should not start.

Steady Upraised Hand – pedestrians should not cross the street.

The DOT reminds drivers and pedestrians that they share the road and should watch for each other when traveling.