Baltimore Traffic Troubles: Quick Fix To Ease Commute Backfires, Has Drivers Seeing Red

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — It was a quick fix that was supposed to have Baltimore traffic lights glowing green. Instead, plenty of drivers are still stuck in park, and seeing red.

"It's really tough, and sometimes will take 15-20 minutes to cross 2 blocks or something." A commuter said.

Even whistles and waves can't seem to keep cars moving. Neither can City Council, or the Department of Transportation. Their push to fix the out of sync traffic signals in downtown Baltimore backfired.

Never worse than the week following the Fourth of July. After traffic light tweaks brought the city to a standstill.

"After a couple of really miserable days, we went back to basics and got it under control." Michelle Pourciau with the DOT said.

DOT blames outdated technology, saying they've been trying to get traffic lights timed correctly, as quickly as the days and dollars allow. Director Michelle Pourciau says most cities sync lights every three to four years. Baltimore's last go at it was ten years ago.

"We have more to do. We're going to continue to look at the system. We're going to continue to focus on day to day improvement." Pourciau said.

So the wheels are turning, just very slowly.

Not nearly at the pace Councilman Eric Costello expected when city leaders asked for what they thought could be a fast fix back in April.

"Any change to any intersection of the city can start to impact the rest of the city. If there starts to become back up as a result of that." Costello said.

City leaders saying on Wednesday they are still pushing for more green lights and fewer brakelights to illuminate Charm City.

While DOT slowly but surely works on fixing the lights, city leaders say they will start the "Don't Block the Box" fines after all.

Follow @WJZ on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook