Finally, Traffic Lights Coming to Amarillo’s Most Dangerous Intersection

For quite some time now, we've been talking about the loop over by West Plains High School here in Amarillo, and just how unsafe the intersection really is. It's not just there where some problems can arise, but that stretch where the kids come out of school is easily the most dangerous.

They did end up putting in the RRFB lights on each side of the intersection, forcing cars to stop at that intersection when they're flashing, and while that has helped, it's a temporary move as some still don't end up stopping, even when students are present. I've seen it.

Study Done Regarding The Loop

Many didn't understand why traffic lights hadn't been installed already. Kids had been killed in that area, and many blamed it on not having something that forced cars to stop. Residents and parents of students were screaming for traffic lights, but TxDOT said they can't just pop lights up. They had to conduct a survey and study of the area.

Thankfully, that study has now been completed, and it comes with some really good news for the students. I'll preface this by saying it may seem like a bit of a hindrance what they concluded, but we will all find out it's for the best.

Traffic Lights Going Up At Multiple Intersections

The study concluded that there was indeed a need for a traffic light at the intersection of SL 335 and Arden Rd. However, they didn't stop there. The study concluded there is alsoa  need for traffic lights at the intersections at Hillside Rd. and 34th Avenue along SL 335.

The things they looked at in the study were the amount of traffic on the streets, crash history, pedestrian activity, speed of traffic approaching the intersection, and the delay to existing traffic flow.

When Will The Project Start & Finish

Right now, TxDot is developing the plans for the traffic lights, and that will take a little bit of time. The earliest we'd see construction begin is in fall 2026. However, that will also depend on the availability of funding.