KDSN RADIO News
Public Works looking to upgrade flashing traffic signals
The stoplights at the intersection of Highway 30 and South 20th Street in Denison are flashing red or yellow and Public Works director Eric Martens says they will be until full repairs can be made. Martens says moisture started causing problems in that system this spring.
"It's taken us a little bit to troubleshoot. Once it goes into flash mode and clears or resets itself before you can get there," said Martens.
He says those lights are among the oldest in Denison and that made it difficult to diagnose the specific problem.
"We got a couple of ideas of next things to try from the stoplight contractor but the next day after we discovered what happened, unfortunately, we had a water main break," said Martens.
He says the water main break earlier this month made the situation even more complicated.
"How the stoplights detect cars is a detection wire that's laid in the concrete. The water where it was coming out more prominent was right where that detection wire was so the wire got severed," said Martens. "Going to a camera system that's a new technology is what we're looking at right now."
He says the city needs to figure out funding and other logistics for the project.
"Please be patient with us. We're sorting this out. These parts are rather expensive," said Martens. "We're talking with all of the entities involved, still putting together a gameplan, and as soon as we get our clear direction on what it's going to cost we will get these repairs made and get this light back in service to the public."
He says they are looking to move quickly as materials for the upgrade could still be available in nearby Spencer, Iowa instead of waiting for several months.
