Board approves temporary wooden poles for College and Craft signal to meet school start; staff says steel poles will replace them when available

The Olive Branch Board of Aldermen on June 17 approved a change order to permit wooden traffic-signal poles at the College Road and Craft Road intersection so the signal can be operational before the start of the school term.

City staff explained that metal (steel) signal poles are backordered and delivery dates are uncertain. To meet the board’s commitment to have the traffic signal functioning for school drop-off, staff recommended using wood poles as a temporary installation; the bases will be set so future steel poles can be installed without relocating the foundations. Staff told the board the wooden poles would later be reused at another location when steel poles arrive.

Public works staff member identified in the record as Mr. Swims said, “We just don't know right now. We thought the safest option was to go ahead and go with the wood poles that would keep us on schedule and allow us to have that open by the time school starts.” Staff also told the board the metal poles would be installed later and that base locations are being set to accommodate eventual road widening.

Board members asked whether placing wooden poles now would require rework if Craft Road is widened in the future. Staff replied the pole bases and locations are being set to accommodate future widening so the final steel poles will not need to be relocated.

An alderman noted the city has been spending about $900 per month for officers to direct traffic during school mornings; staff said activating the signal before school starts will eliminate the recurring officer cost. Given uncertain steel-pole delivery dates, board members favored the temporary measure to avoid continued officer costs and to have the signal operational.

The motion to extend the change order to allow wooden poles passed by voice vote.

Clarifying details
- Staff reported the change-order amount at $38,555 for the College Road and Craft Road signalization work (staff presentation).
- Staff estimated about $900 per month in officer costs for morning traffic control that would be saved when the signal operates.
- Staff stated the pole bases will be placed to accommodate future steel poles and planned widening; staff said this will avoid relocating poles with the widening project.

The board recorded the vote as a voice vote; the meeting transcript excerpt does not include a recorded roll-call tally.