Emergency Red Signal Installed Fronting Cedar Park Fire Station

CEDAR PARK, TX — A new emergency red signal has been installed along Cypress Creek Road fronting the Cedar Park Fire Department Fire Station No. 2, city officials said Monday.

The new signal at 1570 Cypress Creek Rd. will activate any time a fire apparatus and/or ambulance exits the fire station, officials explained. The will prompt traffic to stop on Cypress Creek Road and give emergency vehicles protected right-of-way exiting from the parking lot, officials added.

Under normal operations the new signal will be flashing yellow, meaning that drivers should proceed with caution. When there is an emergency vehicle present the signal will be steady red, meaning that drivers should come to a complete stop and allow for the emergency vehicle that is present to exit. While the signal will be used primarily for emergency vehicles exiting the station, it may also be used – if necessary – for fire apparatus entering the station, as they usually have to back into the lot from Cypress Creek Road, officials said.

In recent years increased traffic levels along Cypress Creek Road had complicated emergency vehicle egress and ingress at the station, according to city officials. Cedar Park Fire Chief James Mallinger said that the new emergency signal will not only improve response times for emergency responders but will improve safety.

“The new signal will greatly enhance the safety of the firefighters and the community, providing a safer exit and entrance into Fire Station Two," Mallinger said. "All of the employees in the Public Works Department’s Traffic Signals Division deserve credit for the signal being on time and under budget.”

The signal was a Fiscal Year 2018 Capital Improvement Project with a $90,000 construction budget, officials said. G. Carter Construction Company, Inc. had originally projected the completion to be June 2018 but was able to complete it by the end of April for $85,556.75.

>>> Photo of new Cypress Creek Road signal courtesy of City of Cedar Park