With about 700 more residents expected by 2006 and the promise of even heavier traffic, the city is taking a look at ways to make maneuvering around town more feasible. So far, the city has identified two intersections that need traffic signals: McKinney Butte Road/Highway 20 and Locust Street/Cascade Avenue.

The lights will help create traffic gaps or what is known in traffic jargon as "pulsing, which will allow motorists to turn at other intersections up or down the street. The lights will also aid in pedestrian crossings and overall traffic flow, said Neil Thompson, city planner.

Thompson said he anticipates the lights will be installed within three years, but the city must still get on the State Transportation Improvement Plan to get funding for the estimated $800,000 project.

Thompson said he plans to approach the Oregon Department of Transportation with the need for the traffic signals and indicate the city has already collected a portion of the funds to install the lights.

"It will show we are serious about it if we can link our money with theirs, Thompson said.

Thompson said the city has budgeted $82,000 of local money, and will exact $150,000 from the Sisters School District and $150,000 from Multnomah Publishers or whoever owns the property on the former Barclay Meadows Business Park at the time of the transaction (Multnomah Publishers is trying to sell the property, Thompson noted).

Both facilities are located near one of the intersections and are responsible for 60 to 70 percent of the traffic impacts, Thompson said.

A traffic signal at the Locust Street/Cascade Avenue intersection would ease delays from cars turning left off of Highway 20 into the elementary school, Thompson said. The light would also help pedestrians cross the street on the way to school.

Thompson said the intersection is bad and could get worse.

But he said there is a small chance the city may decide the traffic signal is not necessary because of plans to turn Main and Hood Avenues into one-way streets for a couplet. The couplet is intended to divert out-of-town highway traffic off of the busy Cascade Avenue.

The couplet, however, is not projected to be built until 2010.

"Right now, the level of service at the intersection may be a C or D, but it's not an F, Thompson said, using ODOT's grading system for intersection function.

"But with the expected growth, one day it might fail. If the couplet comes, it may be up to a B and delay the need for a signal.

Still, Thompson said he is 80 to 90 percent sure the traffic signal will still be built.