CORTLAND, N.Y. – A study commissioned by city officials to examine several intersections in the city has shown that aging traffic lights at the intersections can be replaced by 4-way stop signs without compromising driver and pedestrian safety.
An independent study of the intersections was conducted by the Rochester-based firm C & S Engineering – at a cost of $10,000 – after residents expressed safety concerns that replacing traffic signals with stop signs would make the intersections more dangerous.
Nick Dovi, deputy superintendent for the city's department of public works, presented the findings to members of Common Council Tuesday night.
Engineers from the Rochester firm recommended that the traffic light at the intersection of Pomeroy and Elm streets be removed and replaced with 4-way LED stop signs, Dovi said.
"They deemed that many of the accidents in that intersection may have been preventable if that [traffic] signal was removed," Dovi said, noting that there have been 10 car accidents at the intersection over the last 3 years.
The study reached a similar conclusion regarding the intersection of Greenbush and Elm Streets, and Greenbush and Central Avenue.
It would cost about $57,000 to replace each individual traffic light, Dovi said, while it would cost about $1,800 per stop sign. That would add up to roughly $24,000 if the city chose to install stop signs at the intersections.
Only four Common Council members were in attendance Tuesday night, which meant that council could not vote on any agenda items.
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