(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) – The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) will install flashing yellow arrow (FYA) traffic signals at five intersections in downtown Fairbanks beginning Nov. 7 as a part of the Illinois Street Reconstruction project.

The modified traffic signal, new to Fairbanks, will replace the current “yield on green” ball signal drivers currently see when making a left turn at signalized intersections.

The FYA functions exactly as its name indicates, and tells drivers they can turn left, but must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians first.

Three intersections will implement the new signal Wednesday, Nov. 7:

• 1st Avenue and Cushman Street
• 1st Avenue and Barnette Street
• Illinois Street and Minnie Street

Two other intersections will implement the new signal Nov. 12:

• Illinois Street and Doyon Place/Terminal Street
• Illinois Street and Phillips Field Road

Research indicates these signals increase safety for the driving public. Several studies also indicate FYAs are more intuitive, which lead to reduced traffic delays at busy intersections.

Drivers can read more about Fairbanks’ newest traffic signal online at www.FlashingYellowArrows.alaska.gov or send questions about how to use the signal to fbks.flashing.yellow@alaska.gov.

The first FYA was installed in Juneau in 2009, and is now used throughout Alaska. ADOT&PF will install approximately 35 FYAs at intersections throughout Fairbanks in 2013.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 255 airports, 11 ferries serving 35 communities, 5,619 miles of highway and 720 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Get Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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