- Florence plans to install adaptive traffic signals at 28 intersections from Ewing Boulevard to Mount Zion Road to improve traffic flow.
- The $3.7 million project is largely funded by an 80% Kentucky Transportation Cabinet grant, with the remainder shared by Florence and Boone County.
- The system will adjust signal timing based on real-time traffic and help emergency vehicles receive green lights during responses.
US-42, Mall Road and Ewing Boulevard in Florence will undergo traffic signal modernization thanks to a $3.7 million grant from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
During a Florence City Council caucus meeting on March 3, Public Services Director Eric Hall explained that heavy traffic along US-42, Mall Road, and Ewing Boulevard – three of the busiest corridors in the city – has raised safety concerns and led to increased congestion.
To address this, Florence is considering investing in new, intelligent adaptive traffic signals to improve vehicle flow along these routes, reducing idling and increasing traffic efficiency. An analysis published by the Federal Highway Administration found that implementing adaptive traffic control systems can reduce travel time by more than 10% on average. This increases to 50% or more in areas with outdated or obsolete signal timing systems.
“This is a project we’ve been talking about for a long time,” Hall said. “I’m excited today to finally see we’re at a place where–you could consider it a finish line at least–to get construction funding.”
Hall said Florence will install adaptive signals at 28 intersections across the city, from Ewing Boulevard to Mount Zion Road, including the jughandle intersection at Mall Road and the traffic signal outside the Florence Government Center.
Adaptive traffic signals differ from traditional fixed-timed lights in that they adjust in real time to traffic flow, Hall said. The system employs fiber-optic cables for signal routing and uses traffic-monitoring software to form a network that modifies the duration of green and red lights depending on congestion levels. Once implemented, Hall said the new system will help integrate signal management and improve overall traffic coordination.
Additionally, the system will feature a tool to assist emergency responders. Police, fire, and emergency management vehicles that communicate with signal systems when responders activate their lights during a call can influence the signals ahead of them. This technology is intended to enhance response times and lower the risk of collisions at intersections during emergencies.
Hall noted that Lexington has installed adaptive traffic control systems throughout some areas of the city.
“It basically just makes your street more effective,” Hall said. “So, if you’re sitting at an intersection and there’s nobody in the other street – it’s reading, it’s adapting to what’s going on, and it makes traffic move quicker.”
Currently, many of the signals along US-42 are managed by KYTC. Conversely, Florence operates the traffic signals along Mall Road, and one along Ewing Boulevard near the Florence Government Center.
“Would you explain a little bit more about, now that the construction funding is here, the design’s been done, we’ve been waiting for the final approval to start, what’s the process at this point as far as the bid and a timeline that you’re looking at where we might actually see some results from this,” Councilwoman Diane Whalen asked.
Hall said that once the agreement is signed by Mayor Julie Metzger-Aubuchon, the project will be advertised for contractor bids. After reviewing proposals and interviewing contractors, Florence will select a contractor, then hold a pre-construction meeting to set a timeline. If the project stays on schedule, it should be completed by the end of 2026.
The project will be largely funded by a KYTC grant, which covers roughly 80% of the cost. The remaining local share of the cost will be split between Florence and Boone County. Hall said the grant would cover the cost of the design and buildout.