The final four sets of new traffic lights in Oamaru will be switched on today.
The lights are part of a $3.2 million project to reduce the number and severity of crashes on the section of Thames St from Orwell St to just south of Coquet St.
The first of the traffic lights, at the Eden-Thames St intersection, were activated last month. Lights activated today are at Thames-Severn-Coquet Sts, Ribble-Thames, Usk-Thames and Ouse-Thames intersections.
With all five new lights operating, there should be a "marked improvement" in traffic flows and pedestrian safety, New Zealand Transport Agency project manager Simon Underwood said.
Senior Constable Bruce Dow said some pedestrians became confused when crossing Thames St, finding that by the time they reached the middle of the street, the green pedestrian sign had changed to a flashing red sign.
There was a six-second green phase for pedestrian signage and he hoped that might be changed to a longer phase.
Mr Underwood said it was normal at intersections to have a short green cross walk signal followed by a flashing red signal. The flashing red signal was a median facility, he said.
The timings of the green and flashing red pedestrian signals would be re-examined as the remaining traffic signals became operational, he said.
Snr Const Dow said there were U-turn issues at the Eden and Thames St lights. Mr Underwood said, with the switching on of the Coquet-Severn St traffic signals, increased ability to turn right from Severn St into lower Thames St would diminish these issues.
