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A new traffic light at the intersection of Route 223 and Garden Drive — the entrance to Surrattsville High School in Clinton — will be operational by the first day of school Monday, according to Maryland State Highway Administration officials.

Clinton residents had been petitioning state officials since 2006 for a traffic signal at the intersection, which would address their concerns about heavy traffic from cars traveling to the high school, as well as to the nearby U.S. post office and commercial office spaces located on the other side of Route 223.

Cars trying to turn left into Garden Drive were increasingly at risk of being hit, said Catherine Taggart-Ross of Clinton, one of the residents who lobbied for the new light.

"By putting the traffic light further down, this will help in avoiding more accidents," said Taggart-Ross, who is also a candidate for Prince George's County Council's District 9, which includes Clinton.

Taggart-Ross and other residents said they thought there had been numerous crashes at the intersection over the years, but SHA spokesman Charlie Gischlar said a review of SHA records showed no police-reported crashes before August 2009. However, he said that records were not available after August 2009 and that it was possible there were crashes that were not reported to police.

The pole was installed Aug. 9, according to Gischlar, and transportation officials plan to have the light operational by the time school starts. The total project, paid for by SHA, cost about $180,000, Gischlar said.

"We're excited about this going in," he said. "It helps with traffic flow."

The light will flash yellow when traffic is low — Gischlar said electronic traffic-detection devices are being installed around the intersection that can gauge traffic flow — and will become a full-color light when traffic is heavy.

Gischlar also said that pedestrian-walk signals will be installed at the intersection, with visual and audio countdowns for deaf or blind residents. SHA will notify residents three days before the light is operational by placing signs along Piscataway Road.