Gary will spend more than $2 million to update traffic signals

The city of Gary is expanding its Relight the City program to update traffic signals with more than $2 million funded by savings from an LED streetlight transition, and work is set to begin in the first quarter of 2026.

The city of Gary announced an expansion of its Relight the City program to update traffic signals across the city. Officials said the traffic signal upgrade will be funded with more than $2 million drawn from cost savings of the recent LED streetlight transition. Mayor Eddie Melton described the work as a continuation of last year’s focus on restoring lighting that had been out for years. Work is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and continue through the spring. Planned work: - The traffic signal upgrade will receive more than $2 million in funding from savings tied to the LED streetlight transition. - Work will start in Q1 2026 and continue through the spring, concentrating first on high-traffic intersections in key corridors before moving to other areas. - Signals on state roads maintained by the Indiana Department of Transportation, including certain lights on Broadway and 4th and 5th avenues, are not included in this project. - The project will use existing poles when possible, replace missing poles, add new traffic signals and pedestrian indicators, and replace underused signals with stop signs and appropriate signage. - Temporary signage will be installed while streetlight replacement is in progress. Summary: The expansion extends the city’s relighting efforts and aims to modernize traffic signals and pedestrian indicators for residents and visitors. City officials plan to begin work in early 2026, focus on key corridors first, and then proceed throughout the rest of the city. The mayor said the city intends to complete streetlight upgrades by the end of 2026.