Reasons for replacing traffic signal poles in the Downtown signal upgrade project:

Most, if not all original signal poles, wires, cables and electronics were installed since 1960s. Many were installed during the 50s. Traffic signal poles manufactured during those periods were typically painted on exterior surfaces with internal surfaces untreated for rust protection. As a result, all of the original poles suffered moderate to extreme corrosion, especially at critical stress points. Corrosion also occurred where components were welted together at anchor bolts to foundations. Insulations of the original wires and cables were severely deteriorated due to oxidation. Due to the lack of cable junction boxes, which was a typical construction method for that time period, poles must be removed from foundations for cable replacements. Removing poles required heating or cutting of corroded anchor bolts with oxygen/acetylene torches. This process resulted in physical damages and severely altered designed yield strength of these poles. Reusing the original corroded and damaged poles would jeopardize public safety and incur significant liability for the City of Tyler, the design/construction engineer and possibly the Department of Energy.