It will be another few months before the traffic light at the intersection of High Street West and First Avenue Northwest is replaced, leaving motorists to continue to navigate a four-way stop.
The City of Moose Jaw believes a realistic timeline to install the new light standard is mid-March, provided the necessary equipment can be supplied and delivered, according to an email from city hall. The engineering department has consulted with its traffic consulting firm, which will supply the design, equipment requirements and replacement information for a new traffic light pole.
Furthermore, the department has engaged an electrical contractor prepared to complete the work once the equipment arrives. Engineering staff are also in the process of contacting sources that can supply and deliver the equipment “in a reasonable period of time.”
City hall expects the new traffic light pole to cost roughly $65,000, with costs covered through an SGI claim.
“Engineering services has not received any complaints respecting this intersection since the traffic light was damaged,” the email said, adding an average of one to two light standards per year are knocked down every year.
The traffic light pole on the southwest corner of First Avenue Northwest was knocked down on Dec. 18, after a semi-truck with Walker’s Towing cut too close to the corner while turning. Motorists — many coming back from lunch — could not turn right onto First Avenue Northwest off High Street West, nor could they drive straight ahead if they were coming from the north.
