WARSAW — It was recently discovered that some of the downtown traffic signals are up to 40 years old. The city of Warsaw plans to replace and upgrade traffic signals to improve traffic flow. Jeff Beeler, street superintendent, shared the first step of this plan during the Warsaw Board of Works meeting held today, July 6.

The board approved a $38,700 contract with Lawson-Fisher Associates P. A., South Bend, for engineering design services. The design will concentrate on the intersections of Center and Buffalo streets, Center and Lake streets and Center and Indiana streets.

Background provided stated that the exact age of these signals are unknown, but they are believed to date back to the late 1960s when US 30 was rerouted to the north of Warsaw. The underground wiring and conduits and the signal supports are all nearing the end of their useful life.

The traffic signals will be designed to communicate with nearby signals, the Indiana Department of Transportation and local railroads. Street department employees will also be able to adjust the signals based on high traffic times or events that may disrupt traffic flow. It was noted that the signals would even be able to communicate with emergency services for faster emergency response times.

“With doing this, we are really going to improve our traffic flow,” said Beeler.

This first phase is part one of many staged improvements that will happen over a period of several years due to budgetary constraints. The intersection of Center and Buffalo streets will be the first to receive updated signals.

The board approved a memorandum of understanding with Michiana Area Council of Governments to support an active transportation program and planner. This will allow Warsaw and the other cities served by MACOG to have another resource for help or technical assistance. Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer noted that this would be helpful for the Ride Walk Warsaw initiative. The commitment pledges $5,000 per year for three years.

In other news:

• The wastewater department was approved for a media graphics contract, a pay application to Wessler Engineering for the sewer rehabilitation project and a contract with G & G Hauling for Beyer Farm Trail’s landscape project.
• The parks department was approved for a contract with Potawatomi Zoo for the annual zoo bash.
• The board approved releasing a mowing lien on a property owned by H&H Realty from 2003 for $425.
• The board approved applying for two $20,000 grants from K21 Health Foundation and Kosciusko County Convention Recreation and Visitors Commission.