LYNNWOOD — A new traffic signal is going in at a crash-prone intersection near Alderwood mall.

Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation on Monday began the $1.2 million intersection improvement project where the southbound Highway 525 offramp meets Alderwood Mall Parkway.

The intersection also includes an onramp to southbound Highway 525, where drivers can access southbound I-5 and I-405.

“More and more vehicles are using Alderwood Mall Parkway and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find safe gaps in the traffic to make left turns at the intersection,” said project engineer Dave Lindberg.

Up to 2,700 vehicles per hour travel through the intersection during peak periods. From 2011 to 2015 there were 32 collisions. More traffic is expected as development grows.

“A traffic signal is expected to reduce collisions, improve traffic flow and increase safety,” Lindberg said.

Lane closures could occur between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. overnight Sundays through Thursdays. And all traffic at the intersection may be held for up to 15 minutes at a time between 1 and 4 a.m. weekdays near the completion of the project.

Work is expected to wrap up this fall.

The state considered a two-lane roundabout but decided against it because of possible backups from nearby traffic signals.

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