Committee approves reflectors at Rockwell Road and U.S. 6 after Ameren rejects directional lighting

The Street and Traffic Committee voted Feb. 3 to install reflectors at the Rockwell Road intersection with U.S. 6 after staff said the utility Ameren opposed using directional lighting at that location.

Committee members were told installing a pole-mounted streetlight at the intersection would cost roughly $6,500. Because Ameren declined directional lighting, the committee approved placing white ("crystal") reflectors and directional chevrons to mark the intersection and the entrance radius. Members also asked staff to investigate pavement-inlaid markers similar to recent work on Route 6 as an alternative.

A staff member told the committee, “I did speak to Ameren about directional lighting, and they are opposed to that. Their concern is that it would be distracting to drivers in that intersection.” Committee discussion focused on whether reflectors would clarify the travel path for drivers and on cost differences between the reflector option and installing a new pole, transformer and light. A staff participant described using white reflectors and multiple chevron arrows at the entrance radius as one option to help indicate where drivers can turn.

The committee moved and seconded a motion to install reflectors at the intersection; the roll-call vote recorded Alderman Reynolds, Alderman LaVary, Alderman Jepsen, Alderman Herndon, Alderman Crane and Chairman Bassadore as voting "aye." The motion carried. The meeting record does not specify which member formally moved or seconded the motion.

After the vote, a committee member noted that in-pavement markers ground into the roadway could also be an option and asked staff to look into that approach.

The committee took no further formal action on installing a pole-mounted light at this meeting.