HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The City of Hutchinson has done a 180 when it comes to installing a traffic light at the intersection of 30th and Lucille.

Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff, announced Thursday the city will install a temporary stoplight at the intersection after all. It comes after a donation by a local law firm to help cover the cost of the signal.

On Wednesday, Bretz & Young stepped forward to donate half the cost of the light on behalf of Buhler USD 313. In July, the school district reached out to the city to express concern about the upcoming school year and the potential traffic issues around Prairie Hills Middle School, due to Reno County’s closing of the 43rd Avenue Bridge for repair. Both entities expressed interest in working together to come up with a plan to mitigate the issue for the approximate 18 months the county has estimated the bridge construction will take.

A cost-share was later proposed by the city but rejected by USD 313 during a meeting last Monday. On Tuesday, the Hutchinson City Council came to a consensus not to move forward with the project.

City engineers hope to have the project completed by the first day of school.