New traffic lights at Lake & Sherwood, Knox & Olive improve safety and traffic flow

Madera drivers will see two new traffic signals now operating at busy intersections, part of a broader push to improve safety and ease congestion across the city.

The new signals, located at Knox Street and Olive Avenue and at Lake Street and Sherwood Way, mark another step forward in the city’s ongoing effort to enhance roadway safety and accessibility. City officials say both intersections have experienced steady increases in traffic in recent years, prompting targeted investments to protect pedestrians and improve traffic flow.

At Lake and Sherwood, near Pan Am Park, crews installed new traffic signals, lighting, and pedestrian facilities after a 2022 traffic study found the intersection met state standards for signalization based on high peak-hour volumes. The project, completed by C3 Electric, Inc., cost about $665,000.

District 4 Councilmember Anita Evans said the project reflects the city’s responsiveness to community concerns. “Traffic safety comes up all the time in conversations with residents,” Evans said. “I’m grateful we were able to get this project done, and I hope it helps everyone who uses this intersection feel a little safer.”

Across town, the intersection at Knox and Olive also received a major upgrade as part of the Olive Avenue Widening Project , a multi-phase initiative to expand Olive Avenue from Gateway Drive to Knox Street. The latest phase, completed by Terra West Construction, Inc. for about $849,000, added the new signal, sidewalks, and intersection improvements near the future James Taubert Park.

District 6 Councilmember Artemio Villegas said the work enhances both mobility and safety for nearby families. “With the school so close, a lot of kids and parents walk through this area,” Villegas said. “This new signal will make it safer for them to cross and get to school.”

Mayor Cece Gallegos said both projects demonstrate the city’s commitment to meeting residents’ expectations for safer roads and reliable infrastructure.

“Our community expects the City to provide safe roads,” Gallegos said. “These projects show that we’re listening and taking action to make Madera safer and more connected.”

City officials said the new signals will help reduce congestion, improve pedestrian crossings near schools and parks, and make it easier for drivers to navigate growing areas of Madera, tangible examples, they said, of how the city continues to invest in its future.