New Hwy. 97 signals in La Pine set to be turned on

Under construction since spring, the new traffic signal at U.S. Highway 97 and First Street in La Pine is due to be activated this week, perhaps as early as Wednesday, ODOT announced Tuesday.

While the majority of the work under the $1.5 million contract has been completed, some final testing remains to be done before the signal is turned on, officials said. Technicians will be performing final tests for the signal and with their okay, the signal will be switched on.

ODOT installed the new traffic signal at the request of the La Pine City Council to create a safer highway crossing for pedestrians and to aid with economic development in the city, said ODOT Region 4 spokesman Peter Murphy.

Motorists are urged to drive with caution in the northern part of the city as drivers become accustomed to following the new signal — not the first traffic lights in La Pine, but the first installed on Highway 97.