New Lights on Patterson in Full Operation Thursday

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University co-sponsored a media event with the City of Valdosta at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 26, to officially activate two new traffic lights on Patterson Street.

Georgia State Transportation Board Member (Congressional District 2) Mr. Billy Langdale, City of Valdosta Mayor John J. Fretti, and VSU President Ronald M. Zaccari, as well as members of their staff, attended the ceremony and participated in the activation of the new traffic signals.

A traffic study was conducted in August 2005 and it was determined that the area’s vehicular and pedestrian levels warranted a light at College Street and at VSU’s main entrance. Students frequently crossed at points other than the established crossings, causing potential danger to themselves and others.

The new signals will increase safety along one of Valdosta’s busiest roads and Valdosta State University is proud to have partnered with the City of Valdosta and Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to make this happen. VSU will do its part to encourage safety and the use of these new signals. A uniformed officer will be stationed on the campus-side of North Patterson Street with a student patroller stationed on the opposite side for the first several months to assist pedestrians as they cross North Patterson Street.

The event marked the success of a long-term partnership between the GDOT, the City of Valdosta and Valdosta State University, initiated from a shared concern for both pedestrians and drivers along North Patterson Street near the University.

For more information, contact VSU University Relations, (229) 333-2163, or the City of Valdosta’s Public Information Office, (229) 259-3548.