Traffic Lights Installed at Fairgrounds and Scharbauer Intersection

New signals aim to manage anticipated traffic increase from school and development

Mar. 3, 2026 at 9:25pm

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After nearly a year of approval, the City of Midland has completed the installation of new traffic signals at the intersection of North Fairgrounds Road and East Scharbauer Drive. The lights were installed to accommodate an expected increase in traffic due to the extension of Fairgrounds Road and the forthcoming new Midland High School campus in the area.

Why it matters

The new traffic signals are intended to help regulate the anticipated surge in traffic in this area as Midland continues to grow and develop. The Fairgrounds Road extension and the new high school campus are expected to significantly increase the number of vehicles passing through this intersection.

The details

The traffic lights were installed to manage the expected increase in traffic from two key factors: the recent completion of the Fairgrounds Road extension connecting Mockingbird Lane and Loop 250, and the planned construction of a new Midland High School campus on Fairgrounds Road. City officials expect the area to see a significant rise in traffic volume, especially once the new school opens.

  • The Fairgrounds Road extension was completed in November.
  • The new Midland High School campus is scheduled to open in a couple of years.

The players

City of Midland

The local government responsible for installing the new traffic signals at the intersection of Fairgrounds Road and Scharbauer Drive.

John Norman

A Midland City Councilman whose District 2 covers the intersection where the new traffic lights were installed.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to have a lot of traffic coming through here. It's going to be explosive, especially when the school comes in a couple of years. We're (also) going to have a lot more development, retail places coming through here. It's going to be a high traffic area, so those lights (will) help mitigate that.”

— John Norman, City Councilman

What’s next

The city is asking drivers who are used to traveling on Fairgrounds Road to exercise caution as they get accustomed to the new traffic signals.

The takeaway

The installation of these new traffic lights is a proactive measure by the City of Midland to manage the anticipated surge in traffic in this area due to ongoing development and the construction of a new high school campus. This demonstrates the city's commitment to maintaining traffic flow and public safety as the community continues to grow.