Traffic lights returning to Hays intersection after months-long delay
New custom equipment expected to end temporary three-way stop at Eighth and Fort streets by mid-August
HAYS, Kan. — Traffic lights will return to the intersection of Eighth and Fort streets by mid-August, ending a nearly five-month stretch in which drivers have navigated a temporary three-way stop. The delay stems from a March 24, 2025, vehicle crash that destroyed the intersection's traffic control box, forcing the city to order a specialized, custom-built replacement. During the downtime, city officials conducted a localized traffic study to determine whether the stop signs were a viable permanent solution, but data showed that restoring the full signal is the best option for managing long-term traffic flow.
The new equipment is expected to arrive in early August, and city crews will need about a week to install the box and overhaul the wiring inside the existing signal heads. Hays Public Works officials explained that traffic control boxes function like high-powered computers, making it impractical to stockpile a backup unit — the technology would likely become outdated and lose its warranty during the decade or more it might sit in storage. Until the signal is fully restored, the city urges motorists to continue treating the intersection as a three-way stop.
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