POULSBO — Motorists traversing Lincoln Road may have noticed slight delays recently, but all that will change by summer’s end.

Currently, crews are working on installing a traffic signal at the Caldart Avenue/Lincoln Road intersection along with widening it to make it safer for both motorists and pedestrians.

“We hope to have it done before school starts in the fall,” city engineer Andrezj Kasiniak said. “It seems we had perfect timing.”

Flaggers will be stationed at both ends of the intersection throughout the duration of the project, but motorists should expect only slight delays, city inspector Mike Lund said.

“They have to keep one lane of Lincoln opened both ways at all times,” he said.

Once classes in the North Kitsap School District end for the summer, wait times should be reduced significantly, although early morning and late afternoon traffic will still be impacted, Kasiniak said.

“We hope to get it done before the major closures (on the State Route 305 widening project) when the fish window opens,” he said, referring to the environmental window in which in stream work can occur that doesn’t impact local salmon and other fish. “That’s our goal.”

However, Lund said that target is unlikely to be reached, as the project probably won’t be completed until mid-August.

Most of the materials, including the signal poles themselves and a wiring cabinet, were purchased by the city in anticipation of the project beginning, but there is still much work to be done, Kasiniak said.

A retaining wall will be built near the Poulsbo Gardens and wiring must be installed across Lincoln Road. Irregardless, the project will be completed before school starts in the fall, he said.

Crews will be working from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, he said. No night work is scheduled for this project.

Even though the city is spearheading the project, the North Kitsap School District has been involved in its planning for some time, said NKSD community relations director Chris Case.

“We’re just thrilled that it’s happening,” Case said. “It will increase community safety.”

Presently, the intersection is hazardous for both motorists and pedestrians at several times throughout the day, she said.

“People tend to make bad decisions, and this will make it much safer,” she said.

Kasiniak echoed Case’s comments and the project’s completion will indeed make the intersection safer for both motorists and pedestrians.

“This will make it safer for everyone,” he said.