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Public Safety Committee scopes policy review to address ‘orange cones’ left after work
Summary
The committee opened a scoping discussion on rules and contract language to reduce traffic control devices left in public spaces. Staff will review current policies and return with recommendations at the November meeting.
The Public Safety Committee on Sept. 17 opened a scoping discussion on how the city manages traffic control devices used around construction, focusing on cones and signs left long after work ends.
Council member Carissa Dutton said the item was brought forward because of “an overabundance of traffic control devices, also, aka the orange cones of death,” and described examples where cones and lane-closure signs remained long past active work, creating visual clutter and driver confusion. “I would really love to see that get cleaned up in a timely manner,” Dutton said.
The conversation centered on two recurring problems described by Dutton: contractors or utility crews placing devices well before work begins and leaving them in place for weeks or months after work is finished, and devices moved off site or relocated in ways that confuse motorists. Dutton cited Southbound Shiloh at Buckingham and a confusing placement near Garland Road at Miller as specific examples where devices caused driver uncertainty.
Staff said responsibility varies by project type. For Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects that include a stormwater pollution prevention plan, locations of sanitary and traffic-control facilities are typically shown on the engineer’s plan and placed accordingly. For other work, private contractors or utilities sometimes hire third-party traffic-control companies and are responsible for removing devices when their work is finished.
Dutton proposed contract or permit requirements to reduce the problem, suggesting devices be labeled with the contractor’s contact information, be picked up within a set time after work is completed and not be placed more than a week in advance of work. She said, “your cones have to be labeled with who they belong to. They have to be picked up within a certain amount of time. You can't put them out more than a week prior to construction.”
City staff responded that they would take the input, review internal practices across departments and come back with a plan of action. Committee members agreed to return the item in November for follow-up; staff said November 19 would be a target date for the committee’s next report-back on this topic.
The discussion was scoping level only; no ordinance or contract language was adopted at the meeting. Staff said they will examine where contractual requirements, permit language or enforcement authority could be added, then present options to the committee for consideration.
