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Committee hears progress on signal synchronization, blinking‑yellow left‑turn rollout and federal funding steps
Summary
Staff reported approved plans and submitted reimbursement requests for a traffic signal synchronization project, described remaining federal funding obligations and said blinking‑yellow left‑turn signals should be installed within weeks.
Staff told the Public Works Committee that the traffic signal synchronization project has approved plans and an approved estimate, that a reimbursement request has been submitted and that the city has selected a construction engineering inspector (CEI) whose contract is under review.
Staff said the next major step is TDOT review and then FHWA obligation of funds for construction; best‑case scheduling presented at the meeting estimated advertisement for bids in about six weeks and construction start roughly 10–12 weeks after that. Staff also said equipment for blinking‑yellow left‑turn signals had arrived and that city staff should be able to install the blinking‑yellow units within ‘‘the next couple weeks to a month.’'
Why it matters: the synchronization and blinking‑yellow left‑turn changes are intended to improve traffic flow and reduce delay at left‑turn movements. The item also depends on state and federal review and funding obligations before the construction phase can be advertised.
Details
- Project status: Staff said plans and estimates are approved and that the city has issued a notice of award for a CEI; staff is awaiting an executed contract to submit to TDOT.
- Funding process: Staff explained TDOT will review the executed CEI contract and then TDOT will request FHWA to obligate federal funds for construction. Staff noted that staffing and reorganizations at state and federal agencies have in the past slowed approvals but reported that TDOT now has local programs engineers to prioritize reviews.
- Schedule: Staff presented a best‑case scenario of advertising for construction bids in about six weeks and beginning construction in approximately 10–12 weeks after advertisement, subject to federal obligation timing and agency review.
- Blinking yellow left turns: Staff said equipment has been received and that, subject to internal scheduling and staff availability, blinking‑yellow left‑turn signals could be implemented within weeks.
Ending
Staff will finalize the CEI contract and submit required documentation to TDOT; the committee will be updated as federal obligation and bid schedules are confirmed.
