Question: The traffic lights at the intersection of Tates Creek and Wilson Downing roads were replaced recently, along with the poles supporting them.  Why were the lights replaced when they appeared to be perfectly fine? Were the old lights and poles recycled?

Answer: This answer came from the city traffic engineering department: “Regards to the rebuilding of the traffic signals at Tates Creek and Wilson Downing. Traffic Engineering made a request to the State Transportation Cabinet to have this signal rebuilt because of the age and condition of the signal wiring and poles. This is a state traffic signal and all construction matters were handled by the District 7 office. As far as what was done or is to be done with the signal poles would be something District 7 may be able to answer for you.”

So I spoke with David Thacker, state transportation office District 7, who says that any remaining wooden light poles are replaced with metal poles.  If a metal pole is damaged, it is replaced and recycled, and if the metal pole is not damaged, it is reused. The head of a traffic light (or light fixture) isn’t changed very often, only the light bulbs are changed.  And with the new LED (light-emitting diodes) lights now in use, bulbs are replaced less often than the old style light bulbs. LEDs not only produce light more efficiently, they are a more directed light, which means less wasted energy. And LED bulbs do not contain Mercury like CFLs, so they are more environmentally friendly. LEDs are durable, energy efficient and cool running.

Linda Niemi

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