The lights, which have divided opinion in the community, will be erected at Wakaden Street and Burrell Place, with others to follow at Blumer Avenue/Banna Avenue and Kookoora Street/Willandra Avenue.

Griffith council's traffic committee chairman Cr Doug Curran said while the emergence of traffic lights in the "city of roundabouts" would be mourned by some, it was a necessary move.

"Some people have been sceptical but I think once the lights are in, they'll be welcomed with open arms," Cr Curran said.

"And this is just the start of it. I think they'll become much more common as the city grows.

"I think in the CBD especially � at places like Ulong and Banna and Jondaryan and Banna � we'll see lights eventually."

Cr Curran said lights were far cheaper to install than roundabouts and were easier to negotiate for pedestrians.

Griffith City Council's operations manager Dallas Bibby said the Wakaden/Burrell intersection would be closed while work took place.

"We realise that this will create some inconvenience to those motorists who regularly use this route for their daily travel but it is necessary to ensure the lights are installed as quickly and safely as possible," Mr Bibby said.

The work will include upgrading of watermains, reconstruction of drainage, kerb and guttering and asphalting the pavement.

Mr Bibby said well-marked detours around the construction site would be in place.

He said while the lights would work in tandem, there would be a set of lights on both sides of the Ulong Street rail crossing.

A roundabout is also set to be installed at the Ulong/Olympic/Railway Street intersection.