Let there be light.
After weeks of temporary measures to control traffic at the corner of South Street and Pennsylvania Avenue East, workers on Thursday replaced a circuit board which had knocked out the traffic signal at the intersection.
It is now cycling properly.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Colin Kyler
Light source
Left to right, City of Warren Traffic Mechanic Shawn Tutmaher and Lenny Staples and Brent Nicklas, technicians with Bruce & Merrilees Electric Company, work to repair a traffic signal electric box at the corner of South Street and Pennsylvania Avenue E. on Thursday.
Vincent Massa, assistant superintendent of Warren's Department of Public Works, said the unit inside the controller box was destroyed. Officials said a lightning strike likely caused the failure.
"We originally thought we just had to replace some circuits, but the main board was destroyed," Massa said.
On Tuesday, workers thought they had the traffic signal fixed. However, Massa said the unit would not allow the crosswalk lights to work.
According to Massa, that would have posed a liability to the city. A new unit was brought in Thursday and corrected the issue.
Technology introduced in the mid-1980s has allowed pedestrian buttons to increase crossing time. For now, Massa said, that feature won't be available at the intersection.
As a result, pedestrians will have an estimated four seconds less to cross Pennsylvania Avenue. The time allotted still meets traffic standards, Massa said, and the feature should be back by next Wednesday.
To fix the problem, Massa said, the traffic mechanic is working with PennDOT and a contractor. For now, the buttons have bags on them and the signs for them have been removed.
"On behalf of DPW, I want to thank the City Police Department, Warren County School District, the east side businesses and residents for working with us and being patient during our process," Massa said.