Clovis drivers raise concerns about street light pattern

CLOVIS -- Some area drivers are not happy with the new traffic light pattern at one of Clovis’ major intersections.

The last day of October the eastbound section of Seventh Street was closed at its intersection with Prince Street from that point to its intersection with Maple Street, six blocks east.

With the closing, the intersection’s traffic light pattern was changed from the typical cycling through of red-yellow-green lights for both streets to a flashing red light for the west side of Seventh Street and a flashing yellow light for Prince Street.

Jimmy Martinez of Clovis is among motorists not happy with the change. “The flashing lights on Seventh and Prince are a hazard,” he said, “and I think that they should have made a three-way stop or maybe block off Seventh Street both ways.”

Martinez said if the lights aren’t changed he believes there’ll be a lot of accidents.

“I think it could be handled a different way,” motorist Aaleiya Bell said. “Even shutting down the other half of Seventh might help with the traffic, but it’s getting dangerous.”

To Kristi Ballance of Clovis it seems drivers don’t know how yellow flashing lights are supposed to be handled.

“I believe the traffic at Seventh and Prince Street would flow much smoother if the lights were set back to their original settings,” Ballance said.

For drivers who may have forgotten or don’t know what to do at a flashing yellow or flashing red light, Clovis Police Chief Roy Rice shared the traffic laws.

“A flashing red light means stop, yield right of way, proceed when clear,” Rice said. “A flashing yellow light means proceed into intersection using caution and be prepared to stop.”

Rice said with the construction at Seventh and Prince he avoids that intersection.

“Like with all construction projects we suggest the public seek an alternate route,” Clovis City Manager Justin Howalt said.

As to the suggestion that the signal be changed to a flashing red light for north/south travel on Prince Street as well as Seventh Street he said “so much” traffic would be backing up on Prince Street if that were done.

As to why the traffic lights couldn’t be returned to their regular cycle as suggested by Ballance, Howalt said that is something to be considered.

“Eventually we’ll be closing that intersection, then that could be real tricky,” Howalt said. “There will be future detours.”

Howalt did not specify when that part of the project would happen.

This phase of the Seventh Street project is scheduled for completion in February.

The construction marks “Phase III” of the Seventh Street’s reconstruction plan.

Megan Darrow of the city manager’s office said in an October interview the work is going to be similar to the work done on Seventh between Maple and Norris streets.

Darrow said K. Barnett & Sons Construction will be widening the street, adding a turn lane, sidewalks, putting in new curbs and gutters, relocating a water line and doing underground utility work that includes a new storm drain.

Other modifications include upgraded street lighting and Americans with Disabilities Act improvements.