Red light camera installation delayed
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In a recent Hook cover story [Seeing Red: Safety measure or cash grab?] County officials said the area’s first red light camera system would be up and running at the intersection of Route 29 North and Rio Road on October 11, but drivers may have noticed the absence of any camera equipment. So what’s the deal?
“Rain and utility delay,” says County spokesperson Lee Catlin. “We are kind of day to day at this point pending the weather situation. We will announce a firm date as soon as it is available, we were hoping by this Friday, but that may not pan out given the rain.”
According to County records, utility work includes $80,000 for the installation of an electric power pedestal within the VDOT right of way for the camera equipment, which will be paid by the company installing the cameras, says Catlin.
Thenewspaper.com, an online journal that covers the “politics of driving,” recently ran a story analyzing the Engineering Safety Analysis that was done on the 29/Rio intersection over the summer, which you can read here.
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- http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/2010/va-rio.pdf
80 grand in utilities? One more line item on the unconscionable list.
Need to get a good editor - the camera is scheduled to go at the intersection of Rt. 29N and Rio Road, NOT Rt. 20N and Rio Road as reported.
@DrKen- take a nap
Hey, how ’bout that Cantor.
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Let’s see if the increase the yellow time on that light, its already too short. My guess is they will shorten it since that will enhance revenue… err I mean safety.
I’m so glad we can spend a lot of money to make a lot of money off of something that could be easily fixed by adjusting the timing. I know the timing is already awful on 29, that’s what makes it even better. I’m also glad we can spend this money, for the red light cameras, with a foreign company rather than spend the taxpayers money on a local company or on other services to help the community. But at least now we can make money off of something that is broken.
shame it couldn’t be operational for the presidential motorcade. Even with no traffic I bet they hit at least 3 red lights coming South, no matter what speed they drive.