HOUSTON – Amid the progress in the aftermath of Harvey, City of Houston Public Works crews were hard at work on Houston’s west side.
They say they’ve been working 12-hour shifts, seven days a week replacing the boxes that house the electrical components used to power traffic signals.
Harvey’s floodwaters knocked out over 200 traffic lights across the city.
As soon as the streets became accessible, the work to repair them got underway.
Nearly 30 traffic signals still aren’t working.
They’re either flashing or completely dark. Many of the boxes that control the signals were severely damaged after being submerged in floodwaters so everything needs to be replaced.
“It's a very complex system and we are trying to be sure that all the conditions are safe out there for the drivers,” said Johana Clark, City of Houston Public Works.
Thirty might not sound like a big number.
The city has over 2,400 traffic lights.
If you’re among those who driving through intersections like Wilcrest and Lakeside Forest, one probably feels like too many.
Public Works is asking drivers to treat those intersections as though they have four-way stop signs and to be polite and patient.