CITY OF LEBANON TO REPAIR TORNADO-DAMAGED TRAFFIC SIGNALS
LEBANON, TN. – The City of Lebanon’s Public Service Department, in coordination with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and Federal Highway Administration, has initiated plans for permanent repairs of the traffic signals damaged during the March 3, 2020 tornado. Emergency repairs to restore service were completed after the storm with permanent repairs anticipated through 2021.
A total of eight traffic signals along State Route 109, US 231 S, and S Hartmann Drive received damages from the 2020 tornado. The damages varied per intersection from full signal rebuilds to replacing damaged signal heads. Temporary traffic signals and repairs were quickly installed as an emergency measure at all locations so that roadways could be reopened, but additional work is needed to fully restore function.
“Our Public Services Department and traffic signal technicians worked tirelessly after the tornado to restore traffic operations as quickly as possible and have continued to monitor the traffic signals for needed maintenance,” said Mayor Rick Bell. “Lebanon is fortunate to have such dedicated and skilled employees who were able to respond to the extensive needs and restore service to residents during the difficult times that followed the tornado.”
Traffic signals are safety critical infrastructure that provide for the safe and efficient movement of traffic. Once completed, the work will reestablish normal traffic operations in the impacted areas and limit interruptions for drivers for maintenance related activities. This restoration project requires council approval and is on this upcoming agenda for the anticipated budget of $643,300 that will use federal emergency funds in an 80/20 split (20 percent local). The work needed must follow federal guidelines and includes engineering design and construction to repair the signals to permanent standards.
“The restoration of the damaged traffic signals will provide permanent infrastructure for optimal traffic operations that will require minimal maintenance for years to come,” said Kristen Rice, Transportation/Traffic Engineer for the City of Lebanon. “A multitude of effort and behind the scenes work over the past nine months has brought us to this point. We also appreciate Federal Highway Administration and TDOT working with us on this project to restore the damaged traffic signals on our roadways.”
For additional information, contact Rick.Bell@lebanontn.org or Kristen.Rice@lebanontn.org