Driving along Highway 108 past Claus Road in Riverbank looks a little bit different now with the addition of the new stoplight at the intersection. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) installed the traffic signals at the intersection of Highway108 and Claus earlier this month – culminating a lengthy improvement project in the area – in an effort to help reduce the number of collisions that occur there.

For most motorists, driving on Claus Road was fine until the left or right turn onto Highway 108 loomed up ahead; trying to get out onto the highway was usually very time consuming and often nerve wracking as the traffic on Highway 108 did not have any stop signs or traffic lights in that area to regulate the traffic. Making a left turn onto Claus while heading west on Highway 108 was also often problematic.

With the installation of the new traffic lights – and once motorists get used to the fact they are now operational – the flow of traffic should be smoother, allowing for safer turns on and off both Highway 108 and Claus Road.

In addition to the new traffic signals, Caltrans widened the roadway to accommodate turn lanes at the intersection and added new guardrails along Highway 108. Though it may take folks a little while to get used to the stoplight, Caltrans, along with City of Riverbank officials, believe that it will increase safety and decrease the number of automobile accidents going forward.