Oak Ridge Today

New ORHS traffic signal starts operating Wednesday

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ORHS-Civic-Center-Stoplight-Dec-11-2015

The new stoplight on Oak Ridge Turnpike between Oak Ridge High School and the Oak Ridge Civic Center will start operating on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The new traffic light in front of Oak Ridge High School on Oak Ridge Turnpike will start operating on Wednesday, December 30.

The stoplight has been operating in a temporary, flashing mode since the week of December 14.

City officials want to start operating the stoplight while school is out, said Roger Flynn, director of the Oak Ridge Public Works Department.

The Oak Ridge City Council approved a contract to install the stoplight in a 4-3 vote in April. [Read more…]

Letter: Council should defer new traffic light decision

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To the Editor:

Recently the City of Oak Ridge announced plans to employ an engineering firm to evaluate “signalized” traffic flow, with the stated purpose of ensuring optimum traffic flow, to minimize and reduce traffic-related air pollution in the central parts of the city.

This has been touted as a forward-thinking “green” initiative, proof of Oak Ridge’s commitment to a clean urban environment.

Now Oak Ridge is proposing yet another traffic signal on the Turnpike, with the vote to approve scheduled for March 24. Adding another signal on the Turnpike will likely add to the ground-level air pollution, smack-dab in the midst of ORHS and the Civic Center. [Read more…]