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ATTLEBORO - Bad traffic on Route 1A in South Attleboro has gotten worse and is likely to stay that way for weeks because of a broken traffic signal at the intersection of Park Circle.

A control box connected to in-road sensors that regulate traffic based on the flow of vehicles was destroyed in a car crash, forcing highway officials to put the signals on timers, which are less efficient and do not respond to changes in traffic volume.

As a result, motorists experience long stops, sometimes idling for minutes when there's no cross traffic.

"This results in delays in all directions," City Councilor Walter Thibodeau told colleagues this week.

At first, state highway officials said it could be three months before a new control box is installed because of the time it takes to get an insurance reimbursement, but Massachusetts Highway District 5 director Bernard McCourt said Wednesday he's trying to get a control box installed sooner than that. "We're trying to see what we can come up with," he said. "If there's a way to get a control box out there, we will."

South Attleboro Ward 1 Councilor Jim Hanley said he's experienced the delays firsthand. Early-morning trips through the intersection are especially exasperating, Hanley said.

"I have to sit there for two minutes with no traffic coming," he said.

He's tempted to sneak through the red light because there are few other motorists on the road, he said.

Hanley suggested some drivers do slip through the red lights.

A recent proposal by the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District to install traffic enforcement cameras at certain intersections where red-light running is a problem would yield some cash at 1A and Park Circle, he said.

"The city could make some money," he said to illustrate the problem.

The signals at Park Circle were installed in 2003 after years of lobbying by the city.

Cardi's Furniture paid for the installation when it built a store at the intersection on the west side of 1A near the Interstate 95 interchange.

GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.