Traffic signal repair earns city approval
After more than a week of clogged traffic at the intersection of Cherokee Avenue and Maple Street with temporary stop signs indicating a four-way stop, Sallisaw City Commissioners during a special meeting Wednesday afternoon approved replacement of the traffic signal controller cabinet.
After more than a week of clogged traffic at the intersection of Cherokee Avenue and Maple Street with temporary stop signs indicating a four-way stop, Sallisaw City Commissioners during a special meeting Wednesday afternoon approved replacement of the traffic signal controller cabinet.
The traffic signal controller cabinet was damaged when it was struck by a vehicle, and must be replaced, which will cost $55,500. The city has filed a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company to cover the cost of replacement.
“This traffic signal controller cabinet was the one that was struck by the alleged drunk driver,” Sallisaw City Manager Brian Heverly reminded the commissioners. “He did a number to everything in it.”
The traffic lights are out and the intersection will continue to be a four-way stop until the controller cabinet is replaced.
The replacement of the equipment will also be an upgrade to the detection system to “bring this intersection up to current standards.”
Heverly said he had received several complaints about the four-way stop, while Ward 3 Commissioner Julian Mendiola said “I’ve only had compliments. Everybody I’ve talked to said they like it better as a stop and go than they do the light, because traffic flows better.”
Mayor Ernie Martens said he had also received compliments about the four-way stop because traffic seemed to “move a lot faster.”
No timetable for replacing the traffic signal controller cabinet was available, but Heverly said “this should be a fairly quick repair. The lead time on it’s not like it is for a transformer or other electrical equipment.”
The commissioners also approved a purchase order in the amount of $29,542.45 issue to Kirby Smith Machinery of Tulsa for the repair of the city street department’s Komatsu loader.
A transmission leak was initially suspected for the loader, but it was determined that it needs a hydraulic pump and associated accessory parts. The repairs are labor intensive, and are expected to require the cab to be removed from the loader to access the work area.
