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Council discusses options for Story Street downtown signals; traffic study estimate $10,000–$12,000
Summary
City staff presented five options for the downtown Story Street traffic signals, including converting signals to single-head flashing units, conducting a traffic engineering study (estimated $10,000–$12,000), or leaving signals flashing; council directed staff to gather more information and return to the public safety committee.
Boone City Council members were briefed on options for addressing malfunctioning or decommissioned traffic signals on Story Street and other downtown intersections and were asked whether to pursue stop signs, single-headed flashing heads or a full traffic engineering study.
Wayland (Director of Public Works) told the council he had reviewed the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and identified regulatory spacing and placement requirements that would apply if the city removes signals and installs stop signs. He said that decommissioning a traffic signal typically requires a traffic engineering study and coordination with signal owners and that some infrastructure (curb bump-outs) likely would need to be rebuilt if stop signs were installed.
City staff received an estimate from consultant SEH of about $10,000 to $12,000 for a traffic study focused on downtown intersections. Wayland said materials to convert existing three-head signals to a single-head flashing unit would run roughly $9,700 per intersection for parts; labor proposals were pending. He described five options presented to the council: return lights to operational status; keep them flashing; convert to single-pole flashing heads and remove walk indicators; complete a traffic study that could include stop signs; or gather more information and return to the public safety committee.
Wayland reported mixed public feedback: some downtown business owners asked whether flashing lights indicated a problem with downtown commerce, while other residents said they prefer the flashing operation. He emphasized the importance of following the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices when altering control devices.
Council members did not take a final vote on signal changes; instead they directed staff to collect additional numbers and bring the issue back to the public safety committee for further consideration.
