RALEIGH — Most people probably think it is a long shot to ask theN.C. Dept. of Transportationto put up a traffic light. A Raleigh woman beat the odds, pushing to make her neighborhood safer.

A new traffic light is coming to the intersection of Highway 401 and Dansey Drive. Neighbors can thank Pamela Smith, who wrote, called and pushed the DOT to install the light.

"I'm very happy," she said. "I'm excited that the DOT was able to come out and realize there was a need for this traffic signal and that they put one up."

Smith began her crusade when a car involved in a wreck rolled down a hill and crashed into her car. With all of the children playing in the neighborhood, she asked the DOT come out and do a traffic study.

The state agreed that a traffic light would improve safety. It took about a year, but the new light will be in operation by April 1.

Meanwhile, the DOT would like to improve the state's money crunch. The department has about $2.5 million to fund small highway safety improvements until June 30. However, they have a backlog of over $10 million of projects.