FIRST PHASE OF TRAFFIC SIGNAL RESTORATION MOVING AHEAD
October 1, 2008 -- The Houston Public Works and Engineering Department reports that more than 1,900 (76%) of the City’s 2426 traffic signals are now operational in the wake of Hurricane Ike and, depending on the restoration of electrical power, most of the signals are expected to be operational by the end of the week.
More than 80 crews, with specialized traffic signal training, are at work on the restoration project, in 12 hour shifts, 24 hours a day, according to Public Works Director Michael Marcotte. City crews are being assisted by crews from Harris County, the cities of Dallas and San Antonio, and a number of contractors.
In the past 48 hours, major work was accomplished on corridors including Little York, Homestead, Pinemont, Greens, Kuykendahl, Will Clayton, Aldine Bender and Ella in the north and northeast parts of the city and crews will be working in the next 24 hours to restore signals on Tidwell, Crosstimbers, Cavalcade, Parker and other nearby areas. Most of these intersections are completed and some crews are focusing on the remainder of the northeast and the Heights area today.
Other crews have been working in the south and southeast parts of the city including in the Bellfort corridor. Work is expected to continue today focusing on Telephone Road and the area surrounding Hobby Airport, including Wayside, Navigation, Canal, Almeda, Clear Lake, Mykawa, Scott, Cullen, MLK, Wheeler, Lawndale, Almeda-Genoa.
In addition, Harris County crews have assisted with work on Airline, Bellaire and Beechnut as well as along the Hardy Toll Road feeder and Veterans Memorial. Today, these crews are working in the southwest part of the city in the area outside the loop between Main and Almeda.
Marcotte pointed out that many of the major commuting corridors in the west side, where storm damage was less and electrical power was more quickly restored, have been completed are being re-timed. These include Westheimer, Richmond, Bellaire and Beechnut. Signals are operating normally along Hempstead, Airline and State Highway 3. These roads provide alternative travel to Highway 290, the North Freeway, and the Gulf Freeway.
