Drivers will notice some new traffic signs going up around Clearspring Centre this week.
General Manager Gerald Jeske says a new four-way stop has been installed to address traffic issues.
“We decided to help with traffic flow as we were getting a lot of complaints that it was very difficult to turn from McDonald's and from in front of Pet Valu onto the road going off of Park.”
He is reminding drivers to stay alert for the newly added stop signs.
“Including some additional signs that say four-way stop signs and also some new signage we're going to put up there as well, just to make it a little bit easier for people to know that there is a little bit of a change here.”
Though the change is still new, early feedback has been encouraging.
“Most people that have said something right now have been positive because it's been very difficult around 5 p.m. to get out of the mall, especially if you're going from the McDonald's road there in front of McDonald's, so this will help to alleviate that.”
He notes that it should also improve safety in the area.
“It will also help to just slow the traffic down in front of the mall because we are seeing some people racing and I think this will help just to slow down a little bit.”
Jeske says this is somewhat of a trial run, and they’ll be watching to see how it goes.
“We want to see how this works and if people are pretty happy with how this change is going to go. I think it's going to go down pretty well, but time will tell. But I think our customers will be happier once this change is completed.”
As always, Jeske urges drivers to stay cautious around the busy shopping area.
“There are lots of people walking across the road to McDonald's or across to Smitty's, or to the mall. Just be very careful and drive slowly. We have traffic signs throughout the whole property, and I realize a lot of people don't read a lot of the signage. But just drive slowly, be careful, and we're just trying to make the mall a little bit safer for people.”