RIVERVIEW, Fla. -- A traffic signal at a busy Riverview intersection sat inactive for months, making it hard for drivers trying to get around.

Residents reached out to Real Time Traffic Expert Chuck Henson to see what happened.

The signal, now flashing, is located in the Magnolia Park neighborhood. It was covered for more than four months, leaving drivers wondering if it would ever be turned on.

"It's been quite challenging, getting through the intersection," said resident Bruzensky Bois. "It seems as though no one knows (what vehicle is) next, because there's no formal way of communicating. 'I'm next, you're next.' So I've almost gotten into several accidents."

Progress Boulevard is the main street in the area. Skid marks and crash debris in the intersection show the result of the light being inactive.

This week, the signals were put into "flash" mode. But residents still want to know what took so long.

Michelle Van Dyke, communications coordinator with Hillsborough County, said the developer of the neighborhood is responsible for traffic control as part of a contract with the county.

The signal was installed by the developer before a traffic study was completed showing a need for a signal in the first place. So the signal sat in darkness for months.

The study is now complete, Van Dyke said.

"The signals will be activated in a flashing pattern for at least 48 hours to get motorists adjusted to the new traffic pattern," she said. "Residents should see this signal activated within three weeks, if not sooner.

"It's become the new standard for developers to be responsible for the traffic control in and out of their projects," she said. "In this case they got just a bit ahead of themselves with the installation of the signal."