The City of Surprise has begun bringing several new traffic signals online as part of an effort to ease persistent backups and anticipate additional growth. Officials activated six signals in July and will switch on two more in early August, a move intended to smooth traffic flow near schools, new subdivisions and commercial corridors.
Where signals were activated and what’s next
City transportation staff say the most recent installation — at Peoria Avenue and Cotton Lane — addresses an intersection residents long identified as a congestion trouble spot, particularly when school is in session. Motorists and nearby residents report shorter queues since the signal began operating.
- Active since July 20: Waddell Road & 157th Avenue; Waddell Road & Legacy Parc Boulevard
- Activated July 27: 163rd Avenue & Country Club Drive; Peoria Avenue & Cotton Lane
- Planned for August 3: Greenway Road & 175th Avenue; Greenway Road & Verde Vista Drive
“Especially during school, when school is in session, it is a nightmare, you know, just waiting,”
The comment above comes from a Surprise resident who described lengthy delays at Peoria and Cotton before the signal was installed. City officials said residents' concerns factored into prioritizing that intersection.
Coordinated timing and the Greenway corridor
Because the two Greenway Road intersections are close together, transportation staff will set those signals to operate as a coordinated system, with the intent of maximizing throughput along the corridor rather than treating each intersection in isolation. Coordinated timing typically staggers green phases so platoons of vehicles can proceed through consecutive intersections without repeated stops.
| Intersection | Status | Planned Coordination |
|---|---|---|
| Waddell Rd & 157th Ave | Active (July 20) | No |
| Waddell Rd & Legacy Parc Blvd | Active (July 20) | No |
| 163rd Ave & Country Club Dr | Active (July 27) | No |
| Peoria Ave & Cotton Ln | Active (July 27) | No |
| Greenway Rd & 175th Ave | Planned (Aug 3) | Yes |
| Greenway Rd & Verde Vista Dr | Planned (Aug 3) | Yes |
How this ties to long-term planning
The signal activations are part of an incremental set of investments the city is making while updating its Transportation Master Plan. The plan is intended to chart what Surprise’s road network should look like in future decades — officials mentioned horizons such as 2030, 2040 and 2050 — and will guide decisions about where to add lanes, signals, transit service and multimodal facilities.
Eric Boyles, the city’s director of transportation, has emphasized that the updated plan will help officials anticipate which roadways will require improvements as Surprise absorbs more homes, businesses and developments. Short-term signal projects like the recent activations are frequently used to address present bottlenecks while longer-range studies determine larger capital investments.
Local effects and what drivers should expect
Residents near newly signaled intersections report improved movement and fewer long queues, particularly during peak periods tied to school drop-off and pick-up. City staff warn that, as with any new signal, drivers should expect an adjustment period while timing is refined. Coordinated signals may require additional fine-tuning once both Greenway locations are active to ensure the intended progression of traffic is achieved.
For drivers, the main short-term benefits are reduced idling time and fewer backups at previously unsignalized or stop-controlled intersections. Over time, the city expects coordinated timing and the broader Transportation Master Plan to reduce overall congestion and make travel more predictable as Surprise grows.
Residents with concerns or observations about the new signals are encouraged to contact the City of Surprise Transportation Department so staff can monitor performance and adjust timing where needed.
