Airbase Road traffic lights near completion

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Airbase Road traffic lights

Motorists who have traveled through traffic barriers and road construction at the intersection of Airbase Road and Idaho 51 since March will soon see an end to the project.

WF Construction Project Superintendant Jim Fuger said that the $514,026 project is scheduled to be 100 percent complete by April 15.

He said they will be completing the paving by April 8 or 9 and hope to have the traffic light operating by April 13.

"By April 15, all the barriers will be gone and the light should be operational," Fuger said.

Mary Harding, Manager of Airbase Road Chevron Station said that, "construction has been a challenge for the station."

"Business has fallen off from 60 to 70 percent," Harding said.

However, she feels that once the light is in operation, it will actually improve business since the station will be more accessible to residents who live in the housing in the Elmcrest area and to vehicles who have to cross oncoming traffic to reach them.

Harding said that residents of the area who stopped in the store grumbled a little about the construction, but the majority said they were happy to see the light go in and that it will greatly improve the safety of what they had considered a dangerous and difficult intersection.

She said store employees have not seen any long traffic backups on Airbase Road as a result of the construction and do not expect to see any after the light is installed.

The cameras installed on top of the lights have sensors that will allow traffic on Airbase Road to move smoothly and permit cross traffic to move safely.

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I'm so glad. I always worry there, especially since the cheese plant went in.

-- Posted by senior lady on Wed, Apr 8, 2009, at 7:55 PM
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I think half a million dollars was ridiculous to spend on a traffic light. No wonder this town looks the way it does. We can spend half a mil on a traffic light but can't approve a recreation facility. Yep sure does make sense.

-- Posted by SoThisIsSmallville on Wed, Apr 15, 2009, at 10:14 PM
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Smallville, I must assume you are a new comer to this small, close knit community? The loss of life in the past and the opportunity to save lives in the future are worth way more than the half million dollars spent on that intersection. I hope you never experience the loss of a loved one due to a dangerous intersection that needs a half million dollar stop light.

-- Posted by Amused MtnHomey on Thu, Apr 16, 2009, at 4:46 PM
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I have been here seven short years - I've known people involved in accidents there and everytime I drive past, I thank the man above that I will get to see this greatly needed light before I move on. This was a great improvement that will save lives - not a waste! The rec center is important - but this expenditure was a basic need.

-- Posted by retiredAF on Fri, Apr 17, 2009, at 9:56 AM
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Smallville,

The light is being done under direction of ITD and the city has little to no say. At least that is the way I remember it. The rec center is a whole different ball game and run by an entirely different set of people.

-- Posted by B Mullen on Sat, Apr 18, 2009, at 7:51 PM
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