Indiana Department of Transportation’s contractor for changing hundreds traffic signals as part of a statewide effort to reduce crashes at intersections will begin work along U.S. Highway 50, at Seymour, on Thursday.

Harry Maginity, INDOT spokesman, says that old units will be removed and new signal heads will be installed over the next week-and-a-half. He says that drivers should expect lane closures at sites where crews are working.

INDOT officials say the traffic signals have better visibility for drivers, especially at sunrise and sunset. They include retro-reflective back-plates with yellow reflective borders and a black back-plate that improves visibility. INDOT adds that the new signals also have a three-inch yellow, reflective border to alert drivers of the signal’s presence during a power outage.

INDOT is touting the safety of these new signals with one Federal Highway Administration study documenting a crash reduction rate of 28.6 percent after installation. In addition, they say that the reduction in personal injury crashes was 36.7 percent, while the reduction in late night/early morning crashes was 49.6 percent.

Michiana Contracting of Plymouth is the state’s contractor for this $295,763 project.