While the majority of work needed to install new traffic lights near the high school has been completed, the signals will not be up and running until next spring.

According to a project update, most improvements planned for S.E. 40th Street between 86th Avenue S.E. and Island Crest Way are complete. But due to winter weather constraints and a lengthy schedule to manufacture the new traffic signal poles, the project shut down in mid-November and will resume in early spring of 2009. The project completion date was originally scheduled for January 2009.

The work completed so far includes the installation of the franchise utility services and poles, upgraded water improvements — such as new fire hydrants and storm water improvements — and sections of the road have been repaved. The pedestrian walkway on the north side of 40th, speed humps installed on S.E. 39th Street and the electrical work for both new signals have been finished.

The work that will be completed in the spring includes repaving the intersection of Island Crest Way and 40th, putting in the pedestrian walkway on the south side of 40th and the landscaping on both the north and south sides of 40th and 39th at Clise Park. Plus, the new poles will be put up and the traffic lights will begin operation.

The city plans to pave the ICW/40th intersection during the high school’s spring break, March 30 to April 3.

A detailed spring construction schedule will be published when available on the city’s Web site, www.mercergov.org.