It's admittedly a rather small thing, compared to some of the other developments in the world these days, but I welcome the new traffic lights at 51st Avenue and 46th Street (Highway 27).
The lights, installed a few weeks ago, make that intersection much safer for pedestrians and residents of the condo development in Chinook Estates; the former athletic field area behind Grouchy Daddy’s.
They also make it easier for traffic coming out of 51st Avenue to turn onto 46th Street, which is often frustratingly busy, even on weekends.
Concern had been expressed by some that the lights would be an annoyance for west or eastbound traffic as there is another set of lights by Smitty's just a block away.
However, I personally don't see it as annoying. I'm happy to wait a few minutes until the light turns green again, especially knowing how much safer that makes the intersection for pedestrians.
Olds continues to grow, and as it does so, we'll undoubtedly need more traffic lights.
So be it.
