Funds OK’d for traffic controls

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005 | 9:28 a.m.

The ubiquitous four-way stop signs controlling many intersections in Clark County could soon become much more rare. The Clark County Commission approved $2.9 million Tuesday for new traffic controls at intersections now controlled by only signs.

Among the planned upgrades anticipated by Clark County Public Works will be solar-powered warning flashers at 39 intersections at a cost of $334,000; traffic-activated flashing warning lights at six intersections at a cost of $884,000; and traditionally powered continuous flashing warning lights at six intersections for $152,000.

The department also plans to continue putting fully controlled traffic lights where stop signs currently stand in areas where traffic volume or accidents meet federal criteria. The county will spend $1.5 million through the end of the fiscal year ending June 30 to expedite construction.

More money will be set aside during the county's upcoming budget process for the next fiscal year beginning July 1, county staffers said.

The county now has contractors building 10 of the lighted traffic signals. Another 10 are out to receive bids from contractors. Tuesday's action means that another 10 signals under design and four signals needing funding will all be funded.

One of those intersections now receiving a full, four-way traffic signal is at Desert Inn Road and Hualapai Way, where a 7-year-old girl was killed when a driver ran a stop sign last September.

Parents of the girl and others have called on the county to install traffic lights more swiftly when intersections meet federal criteria for the upgrades. Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald agreed, saying Tuesday that the issue was a significant public safety factor.