A long-awaited traffic signal is closer to being turned on for the city of Rincon.

The state Department of Transportation has announced that construction has started on improvements to the Highway 21 and 9th Street intersection in Rincon. The reworked intersection will include a traffic signal and widening and reconstruction of East and West 9th Street for dedicated left-turn lanes.

“It’s been a long process,” said Rincon Mayor Ken Lee. “That precedes even my seven years of service. It’s a process that takes longer than sometimes we think it should. But we’re glad to see it getting done, regardless of the time.”

This project was awarded to Ricketson Construction Company of Douglas at a bid of $40,331.45. Work will be expedited to be completed within the next six months, according to the DOT.

The Highway 21-9th Street intersection can be congested, as drivers headed north on 21 turn left onto 9th Street, and drivers on 9th Street attempt to turn left onto Highway 21 northbound, particularly in the late afternoon and evening.

Lee said the city is limited in what it can do at such an intersection, notably because a state route is involved and that falls under the DOT’s domain.

“It is difficult when we have situations like that,” he said. “There are certain procedures, certain qualifications to determine those things. DOT makes those determinations. We’ve known for quite some time that 9th Street needed to be addressed, and it’s finally getting done, so we’re glad about that.”

There will be lane shifts and flagmen to guide motorists through the work zone. Portions of East and West 9th Street will be closed at times in order to put in the turn lanes. Dates for those road closures have not been established.

“We ask the traveling public to be careful while traveling through our work zone, and we regret any inconvenience,” said C.R. Jackson, DOT Statesboro area engineer.

Any questions on this project may be referred to Jackson’s office at (912) 871-1103.