UPDATE: CURRENT ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE FOR THE DESIGN PROJECT IS FEBRUARY 2016, WITH CONSTRUCTION STARTING IN AUGUST 2016.

“Saw this on the City of Orlando project website. Got any info on it?” – David Bain

The answer is, yes, a traffic light is indeed coming to the corner of Summerlin Avenue and Washington Street [GMap] in the Thornton Park district.

According to the City of Orlando it will be a “mast arm signal” as depicted in the graphic above.

There is plenty of utility coordination to be done with underground and overhead facilities before anything can be installed. The City estimates that they will need about six months for manufacturing and installation and are hoping to have something installed by the end of 2016.

The light is still being designed and will be ordered shortly.

UPDATE: In an effort to clarify the project, the City of Orlando recently reached out to us with a statement which we’ve included below.

This traffic light is being added specifically to increase pedestrian and bicycle safety. Unfortunately, we have noticed that with the four way stop as it is now, many vehicles do not fully stop and take notice of the entire intersection and roadway and our bicyclists and pedestrians. As you know, this area is very lively and has a lot of pedestrian and bicycle activity. Red traffic lights further encourage drivers to actually stop vs. stop signs alone, so this light will certainly help increase visibility and motorists actually come to a complete stop. The light will also specifically include an “all pedestrian phase” so there will be no confusion to motorist as to has the right away and of course allow pedestrians and bicyclist to cross anywhere safely at this intersection.

Editor’s Note: An “all pedestrian phase” is also known as a “pedestrian scramble” or “diagonal crossing” which stops all vehicular traffic and allows pedestrians to cross an intersection in all directions at the same time. An example of this already in affect in Orlando is the intersection of Orange Avenue and South Street in front of City Hall.