Hutchinson to remove three traffic signals to improve safety, reduce costs

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City of Hutchinson will deactivate and eventually remove traffic signals at three intersections starting Aug. 11, a move officials say will improve safety and avoid nearly $170,000 in looming infrastructure costs.

Following a recent traffic engineering evaluation, the city determined that traffic lights at 23rd Avenue and Tyler Street, Bigger and Maple streets, and 11th Avenue and Baker Street are no longer warranted. Stop signs and other alternative traffic control measures will replace the signals to better match current traffic volumes, reduce driver delays and minimize rear-end collisions.

The phaseout begins Aug. 11, when the signal heads will be covered with bags for a minimum 90-day evaluation period. During that time, city staff will closely monitor traffic operations to ensure the new patterns are working effectively; if the transition is successful, the signal poles will be permanently removed in late November.

Eliminating the outdated signals will yield both immediate and long-term financial benefits for the city. Hutchinson expects to save $1,500 annually in electricity and maintenance per location, while avoiding $56,478.25 per intersection in required upgrades for aging equipment, including costly replacements for detection systems, traffic cabinets, signal wiring and battery backups.

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