Ramp meters activated in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Starting Tuesday, ramp meters were turned on at the east and westbound Highway 180 to the northbound and southbound Highway 41 connectors in Fresno. It's an area that's known as the braided ramps project.

Drivers in Fresno were greeted with a new sign of the times on their Tuesday morning commute. After construction and a completed braided ramps project, the meters were turned on for those merging from Highway 180 to 41 in either direction.

"It improves merging safety, which is a big concern," said Caltrans Transportation Engineer Tyler Laing. "So it helps avoid accidents. It improves traffic flow and helps people to get their destinations quicker and easier and safer."

Laing says during the rush hour about 3,000 cars per hour will make their way from one freeway to the next. Some drivers like Adolfo Perez say they're not sold.

"I don't think it's going to work because the traffic," said Perez. "There's a lot of traffic and there's going to be a lot of accidents."

Many cars slow downed and braked as they came close to the change, some even merging last minute. The meters were installed on the connecting ramps from 180 to 41. Caltrans says in building the meters, they took extra measures to keep the lights on and copper wire thieves out.

"We've beefed up everything that has an electrical wire into it," said Laing. "So that it's more secure. It's locked down so that thieves cannot easily get into it."

The meters will flash on and off during rush hour in the morning and in the afternoon. Officials are hoping drivers will pay close attention during this change.