AIKEN, S.C. - Changes are on the way for downtown Aiken's traffic flow.

The current driving pattern is confusing to many drivers, especially visitors and newcomers trying to navigate.

Jennifer Robertson has been visiting family in Aiken since she was young. She can recall taking to the streets of downtown as a new driver.

“I kept going around in circles and finally I just stopped and parked and had to call my grandaddy to come get me,” Robertson said.

Although she's now a more experienced driver the traffic system can still be perplexing.

“I kind of figured it out more but usually I just follow people's lead,” Robertson said.

Help for many of Robinson's traffic flow woes can be found under brown bags throughout downtown. The bags are covering new signs and lights. The South Carolina Department of Transportation is installing traffic upgrades in Aiken.

“With the new system it's going to change the traffic flow in downtown,” Aiken Public Safety Chief, Pete Frommer, said.

The changes will effect nine intersections. Right at those intersections both directions of each street have a green light at the same time.

Under the new traffic system only one direction for each four way intersection will have a green light at a time.

“This will take the thinking out of it, if you have a green light you go if you have a red light you stop,” Frommer said.

There are several other changes: New pedestrian signs at each intersection and sensors on street poles that will help keep people from sitting at red lights when there is no opposing traffic. There will also be new turn signals and all left turns on red will now be restricted.

The changes should be done in December.
To avoid holiday confusion they're expected to take effect at the beginning of next year.

Aiken Public Safety will likely debut the new system on a Sunday and invite drivers downtown to try it out.

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