Roadway to receive traffic light

     By Chris Jones
     View staff writer
      A cooperative effort between the city of Henderson and Del Webb Corp. could lead to increased safety for travelers who use Horizon Ridge Parkway.
      This spring, a traffic signal will be installed on Horizon Ridge (just east of Green Valley Parkway), where the thoroughfare intersects with access to the Desert Willow Community Center.
      The center is primarily utilized by residents of the Sun City MacDonald Ranch community. For the past several months, many Sun City residents have lobbied city leaders for a signal at the intersection, which they feel will slow traffic passing through the residential area, while giving residents a better chance to cross Horizon Ridge without dodging vehicles traveling along the 35-mph road.
      City traffic engineer John Bartels said the intersection would not normally qualify for a signal because it does not include two major streets. He said the community's unique nature, however, made the signal a necessity.
      "We had looked at Horizon Ridge Parkway for a long time and conducted several warrant studies about signals in the area," Bartels said. "There were various intersections we studied, but we felt there was a need for a traffic signal near the Desert Willows center.
      "If it wasn't a community with elderly residents and so much pedestrian activity, this probably wouldn't have happened. The fact is, a lot of people walk from their homes to the community center. And when you're older, you can't cross a street as fast as someone who is in their 20s."
      Bartels said city staffers worked on the signal's implementation in conjunction with officials from Del Webb, which developed the Sun City MacDonald Ranch community.
      "In situations like this, we'll get together with a private developer to see if we can get something done," Bartels said.
      In early January, Scott Middleton, president of the Sun City Community Association Board of Directors, told residents via the community's newsletter that the signal will serve to slow traffic along Horizon Ridge Parkway while improving safety and access to the Desert Willow Community Center.
      His sentiments were echoed by Del Webb spokesman Sean Patrick.
      "Safety is the most important reason for this," Patrick said. "With all the attention that was focused on widening Horizon Ridge Parkway a few months ago, it brought attention to the possibility of accidents.
      "We saw the need for a signal there, so we went to the city in a cooperative effort to get this done."
      Bartels said the city will provide materials, engineering and inspection services for the $200,000 project, while Del Webb is responsible for the remaining costs of construction.
      The city also donated surplus equipment that had been removed from service in other areas of Henderson, including poles, signal lights and a control cabinet. Because no city funds will be used toward the signal's construction, Bartels said it did not require the approval of the Henderson Planning Commission or City Council.
      There will be no major alterations to the street itself, but construction crews will have to dig -- and subsequently fill in -- a conduit trench for wires to run across Horizon Ridge. Workers will also remove a portion of the sidewalk to place the control cabinet.
      Bartels estimates the project's construction will take about two to three months and should be finished sometime this spring.
      Once operational, Patrick said the signal will be a welcome addition in the eyes of the community's residents.
      "The residents are thrilled," Patrick said. "We made the announcement during a board of directors' meeting a few weeks ago and got a standing ovation from the people in attendance.
      "Sun City MacDonald Ranch is all about lifestyle and the community center is vital to that (lifestyle), and we needed to make sure the residents who live south of Horizon Ridge Parkway have easy access to it."