When the video lottery terminals start spinning this fall at Yonkers Raceway, the city will have a new traffic system in place to better manage the estimated 10,000 cars a day.

After vocal complaints about the traffic congestion the 2,500 new video lottery terminals would bring to Yonkers, local politicians brought in state money to help control and ease traffic in the area. State Senator Nick Spano (R-Yonkers) calls the $1.2 million for improvements a small investment with big returns for education from the state lottery machines.

Yonkers will upgrade 15 intersections with new computerized signals to help traffic expected along Central Park and Yonkers avenues by the track. Traffic engineers explained to community leaders that once the casino is open, more changes might take place. The city hopes to have all the improvements in place before the casino starts operating this fall. Related stories Court ruling paves the way for video lottery terminals at Yonkers Raceway Video lottery terminals will be part of Yonkers Raceway after City Council vote