By Janice Podsada
Herald Writer
LYNNWOOD — The privilege of waiting for a light to turn green can cost nearly a half-million dollars.
The average cost of installing a new traffic signal at any given intersection is about $400,000, Lynnwood public works director Bill Vleck said.
But the current trend is to ask agencies that generate their share of gridlock to kick in some for the cost.
Edmonds Community College will share the costs of installing a new traffic signal at 200th Street SW and 68th Avenue W. The price tag on the new traffic signal is estimated at $402,500; EdCC will kick in $43,000.
Campus traffic has been on the increase because of a construction project that will add a new college building. EdCC will share the facility with Central Washington University.
Trucks and heavy equipment began rolling onto campus in July. Monday, the big rigs began jockeying with students, who started classes.
The project is to be completed in 2002. At that time construction traffic will cease, but the number of students attending EdCC will jump by more than a 1,000.
"Those are folks who will be able to pursue four-year degrees through the Central Washington satellite campus," EdCC spokeswoman Sharron Sellers said.
The current four-way stop at 200th Street SW and 68th Avenue W. can’t handle the traffic volume or driver indecision as to who goes first.
"It’s always messy getting out of our campus on 68th because there isn’t any other entrance to the north," EdCC spokeswoman Susan Kostick said.
Right now motorists must contend with looking right, left, right. The new traffic light will have them looking up.
"We’re going to have a left-turn lane and signal," Kostick said.
Precision Earthworks, the low bidder, will charge the city’s Arterial Street Fund $372,466 to put up the new signal. The fund is provided for by the city’s state gas tax distribution.
The traffic cabinet and the red, yellow and green blinker runs about $10,200, plus tax and freight. Another $11,700 provides for inspection of the signal equipment.
"That’s a pretty standard price," Vleck told Lynnwood City Council members, who gulped at the price tag.
"You look at a traffic light and you say how can it cost $400,000?" city finance director Mike Bailey said. "But you have the costs of acquiring the right-of-way, the sidewalk work and other paving work."
You can call Herald Writer Janice Podsada at 425-339-3029 or send e-mail to podsada@heraldnet.com.
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