A cloud of dust enveloped the intersection of Main and Market streets Wednesday as defunct traffic signals came down in preparation for new, permanent stop signs went up. The work followed a 4-1 vote of the Washington City Council on Monday to make stop signs the means of traffic control at the three-way intersection.

For the past seven months, burlap sacks covered the traffic lights, with temporary stop signs held in place by tires and sandbags serving as indicators at the intersection.

Washington Mayor Mac Hodges says the removal of the stoplights should make the intersection less confusing for drivers.

“When we do our streetscaping project, they were coming up anyway,” Hodges said of the traffic lights. “It seems like they make it more confusing. People are kind of used to it more now than when we first did it. I live here, and I would ride up to the stop sign and wait for it to turn green. My thought is it would be less confusing to get (the traffic lights) out of the way.”

Council Member William Pitt, who cast the dissenting vote against removing the lights, argues that the lighted signals are safer for both motorists and pedestrians.

“It does help the flow of traffic move in a controlled manner,” Pitt said. “As I stood at that intersection yesterday, I watched four vehicles just roll right through it. Granted, it is a low-speed intersection, but a 4,000-pound vehicle will surely do some damage to an individual walking across that street.”

In a Washington Daily News poll on the subject last June, respondents were split on the question of whether a stop sign or street light should control traffic at the intersection. A total of 355 people (51.1%) voted for stop signs, while 321 people (46.2%) expressed a desire for traffic lights. Only 18 (2.5%) voters were undecided.