By next week, a new traffic signal could ease congestion at a busy Braselton intersection.

Testing begins today on the light at the intersection of Ga. 211 and Ga. 347. Weather permitting, it will be operational on Tuesday, state Department of Transportation communications officer Teri Pope said.

"Every intersection is run by a computer that has been customized for that intersection," she said. "During the testing time, the computer will go through that sequence and check itself and make sure everything is running correctly."

A traffic study confirmed that the Braselton intersection met federal requirements for a new signal.

Some of those requirements include present and future development in the area, traffic count and crash history at the intersection.

"We’re pretty stingy with traffic signals," Pope said.

The DOT and the Braselton Police Department will monitor the area to ensure that drivers are obeying the new signal.

"They don’t fix everything, but they are useful in certain situations," Pope said. "In this situation it will be useful."