New Monroe Street traffic signal goes live Thursday

A new traffic signal at the north end of the Monroe Street Bridge goes live Thursday morning, after working in flashing mode since earlier this week.

The light at Monroe and Summit Parkway will help control the increasing volume of traffic going to and from the Kendall Yards commercial and residential development on the North Bank.

The new signal will have pedestrian countdown flashers so that people will know how soon the light will change, and traffic detectors capable of changing the light to serve bicycles, motorcycles and pedestrians.

It will also have an uninterruptible power source to maintain signal operation in case of a power outage, and a flashing yellow arrow for left turns from Monroe that can be turned off during heavy traffic periods.

The segment of Bridge Avenue east of Monroe remains closed for installation of a stormwater retention tank.