Traffic lights in Poland now only blink at night

By ASHLEY LUTHERN

Two other traffic light projects should be completed by the start of the new year.

POLAND — It might be just a small change, but for Poland residents, the flashing traffic lights along state Route 170 have made their lives a little less noisy and a little more speedy.

“It makes it quieter at night because the large trucks aren’t stopping and starting at the traffic light,” said Glen Shiderly, who lives on the corner of Route 170 and Nesbitt Street.

The traffic signals were automated about five weeks ago to flash yellow caution lights from 9:45 p.m. to 6:45 a.m. at the intersections of Route 170 and the following roads: College Street, North Lima Road, Riverside Drive and Nesbitt Street.

With low traffic flow at night, the area had a reputation for long waiting times at stop lights at night when no other vehicles were in sight.

“I’ve had people swear to me that it’s a five- or six-minute wait at the light from North Lima onto 170,” said Russ Beatty Jr., head of Poland Village’s street and police department. “It was really only one minute and 40 seconds. I timed it.”

Now for nine hours during the night and early morning, there will be barely any time spent waiting, as that light will blink red and act as a stop sign.

“If you live out here, it’s great and it’s good for people traveling through the area, too, because you can just drive through,” Shiderly said of the absence of stops that vehicles have to make on Route 170.

The village street department decided independently of other government entities to make the change. It’s part of a larger plan to upgrade the traffic controller in the center of the village.

“We’re finally working with a company that really knows this traffic system,” Beatty said. “Now, I’m hoping to get the funds approved by council for a new control system and a back-up.”

The two purchases would cost about $4,000 and the controller would continue to be responsible for five intersections, including the intersection of Route 170 and U.S. Route 224 in the center of Poland.

“We’re trying to be proactive about these improvements,” said village Mayor Tim Sicafuse.

The village street department also plans to change the traffic light at Route 224 and Riverside to flashing yellow during the same hours as the others and switch the blinking light at the Route 170 and Johnston Place to a fully operational traffic light.

“With the school [North Elementary] there, I’ve never been comfortable with the blinking lights,” Beatty said. “Even if it’s only in the morning and afternoon when school opens and closes, I’d like to see that traffic signal have the red, yellow and green lights.”

Depending on the village’s budget, the traffic light changes at Route 224 and Riverside and Route 170 and Johnston Place should be completed by the beginning of 2009, Beatty said.