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Traffic Signal Down in Ferndale Neighborhood Could Take a Couple Months to ReplaceCandlewickshop_May2014
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 7, 2014)
When a suspected drunk driver slammed into a pole at Marshall and Livernois in Ferndale at about 11:45pm on Nov. 1, the damage was severe enough to destroy all the traffic control systems at the intersection. Now the City says it could take about two months before the lights are replaced.
Department of Public Works Director Loyd Cureton got the call early Sunday morning to have a crew come and clear the roadway of debris. “The entire traffic control system for the intersection was destroyed. The nicholas-schrock-allstatedriver hit a Detroit Edison utility pole which provided power to the traffic control system, causing a chain reaction which brought down all the signals, wiring and other mechanisms for traffic control. The driver further destroyed a traffic control cabinet which houses the instrumentation for the signal.”
Cureton explained that first the DPW must come up with a design. While it may seem simple, they DPW and the experts at Giffels Webster and Traffic Improvement Association must consider new technologies, changes in availability of hardware, cost effectiveness etc. The design phase should take about two weeks, and then the project must go out to bid. After a bid is accepted it may still be a matter of time before the contractor can begin the work.ctechad
“The time frame from starting design to commencing with construction is typically a minimum of 2 months.  However, the DPW is working with engineers and the contractors in order to try and speed up the process,” Cureton said. He also said that they are working through the claims process with the driver’s insurance company and the City’s.
Beginning Monday morning, the DPW began working with Giffels Webster and TIA in order to come up with the safest short and long term plans for the intersection. In the immediate short term, stop signs were placed on Marshall, allowing Livernois to flow freely. Beginning next week, there will be ground-driven stop signs with flags at all four legs of the intersection. There will also be “Stop Ahead” warning signs placed before the intersection on all four approaches, and signage will seed024_jeannie_davis_from_loridirect pedestrians to use the Pearson crosswalk.
The long term recommendation is to install a new traffic signal at the intersection.
The intersection is an important crossing for those trying to go to the Kulick Community Center, and is also often used by students walking to and from the high school. Increased development along Livernois, and increased bicycle traffic all would need to be taken into account if there were any permanent changes to traffic signals in the area, and a traffic study would need to be performed.
Other articles of interest:
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/02/06/crashing-in-ferndale-report-shows-accident-rates-causes-and-more/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/29/semcog-releases-traffic-crash-and-fatality-report-urges-safety/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/31/road-diets-and-bike-lanes-coming-to-ferndale-this-spring/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/08/08/melanie-piana-explains-ferndales-new-bike-lanes-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/12/05/new-dpw-director-makes-himself-at-home/