A new set of traffic lights installed on Seagull Way and Saratoga­Sunnyvale Road more than six months ago are still not ready to be switched on.

The city blames the delay on the Union Pacific Railroad. Because the traffic lights are next to a railroad crossing, they have to be coordinated with the crossing.

According to an update presented at the Jan. 5 Saratoga City Council meeting, slow progress is being made in the negotiations.

"The city was recently provided an official cost estimate by Union Pacific Railroad for the work, and the railroad is now submitting the agreement between the city and the railroad, which is expected to arrive any day," said Morgan Kessler, an assistant engineer with the city.

Kessler said that the work included an installation underneath the railway tracks, to be followed by a connection to a control box. He said that city staff was following the case closely.

The traffic lights were installed at the location to make it easier to make left and right turns onto Seagull Way and the Gateway Shopping District from Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road.

John Cherbone, the city's public works director, also said that once the lights were switched on, it would have a calming effect on traffic in the area.

Another project in the city involving traffic lights and turn lanes is almost ready. Iveta Harvancik, associate engineer for the city, said that the construction of a new right turn lane from northbound Highway 9 onto Saratoga Avenue is nearing completion.

"A new set of traffic lights are also being installed at the intersection. Caltrans requires that all new traffic lights to be of an improved standard," Harvancik said.

She said some of the minor problems related to the project are being sorted out now. "It should be completed by January," she said.

Since the intersection is directly in front of its new building, the Saratoga Fire Station took over the management of the project in 2004 to ensure an early completion but the city and Caltrans are still involved in the project.

New audible pedestrian signals and push-buttons are also being installed at the intersection. "They are not functioning yet but they should be ready soon," Harvancik said.