Oct. 20, 2026

City of Marco Island Announces Traffic Signal Modernization Project at 10 Intersections

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — The City of Marco Island will begin a traffic signal modernization project Oct. 26, replacing aging traffic signal cabinets at 10 intersections throughout the island. Work is expected to continue through early December, weather and construction conditions permitting.

The project will replace equipment dating to approximately 2005 with updated technology designed to improve pedestrian safety, traffic signal operations, system reliability and traffic monitoring.

Project Improvements

The new equipment will support the following improvements:

• Pedestrian safety: Leading pedestrian intervals will give pedestrians a head start of approximately seven seconds before vehicles traveling in the same direction receive a green light. This allows pedestrians to establish themselves in the crosswalk, improving their visibility to turning motorists.

• Remote monitoring: Improved monitoring capabilities will help personnel identify signal malfunctions and operational issues more efficiently and coordinate repairs.

• Emergency vehicle operations: The system will support emergency vehicle preemption technology, allowing properly equipped emergency vehicles to request priority at traffic signals while responding to emergencies.

• Traffic data collection: Improved vehicle volume data and reporting will help the city evaluate traffic patterns and make informed decisions about future transportation improvements.

Installation and Traffic Impacts

Work will occur in two phases at each intersection, generally requiring two separate scheduled workdays. Crews will first install and activate a temporary traffic signal cabinet, then return to transition operations to the new permanent cabinet.

Traffic signals are expected to be out of service for several hours during each phase. Contractor-provided traffic control personnel will direct vehicles through the intersection using flagging operations while signals are offline.

Motorists should anticipate delays and changing traffic patterns. Reduce speeds, follow flaggers’ instructions, remain alert for workers and pedestrians, and allow additional travel time. Use alternate routes when practical.

Tentative Installation Schedule

All dates are for 2026 and are tentative. The schedule may change due to weather, field conditions, construction progress or other operational considerations.

Staying Informed

Residents and visitors are encouraged to follow the official Facebook pages of the City of Marco Island and Marco Island Police Department for traffic advisories, project updates and installation schedule changes.

The city appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as these infrastructure improvements are completed.

Recognizing the City’s Traffic Signal Art Boxes

For the past six years, residents and visitors have enjoyed artistic wraps on the city’s traffic signal cabinets, exceeding their anticipated three- to four-year lifespan. As part of this project, the cabinets will be replaced to accommodate upgraded technology and software, requiring removal of the existing art boxes.

The city has coordinated with the local artists who contributed their artwork, and some artists will keep their decorated cabinets. We thank the artists who participated in the original competition for sharing their talents and bringing color and creativity to our community.

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