The City of Waynesboro was recently awarded two grants, one to fund improvements to current traffic signals and the other to fund firefighter equipment for the city’s fire department.
The traffic signal equipment at the intersection of the Highway 64 Bypass and Dexter L. Woods Memorial Boulevard in Waynesboro has long had problems, most notably in extremely cold weather like we had last week. As those driving through Waynesboro noticed, the traffic signal was a blinking yellow caution light throughout most of the days and nights of freezing temperatures. The Traffic Signal Modernization Program (TSMP) grant application submitted by the city to TDOT stated that if and when the temperature drops below freezing (32 degrees), the cabinet that controls the traffic signal freezes up and quits operating properly. This triggers all lights at the intersection to go into blinking mode or shut off all together until the temperature rises above freezing and can be reset.
The city also stated in the grant application that they would like to replace signal heads and backplates, along with the controller, cabinet, battery backup system, and conflict monitor at the intersection. The equipment has been in place for 20-29 years and is in dire need of being replaced with new and more updated equipment. The application also stated that the lights are outdated and do not illuminate the colors adequately.
The City of Waynesboro also submitted a grant application for the funding of caution lights on the Highway 64 Bypass at Clifton Turnpike. They requested the replacement of the flashing beacons, cabinet, and battery backup system. The flashing beacons are two yellow caution lights and two red stop lights. The flashing beacons have not operated properly for years and have not worked at all for a year and half.
The caution lights were installed after multiple traffic accidents, with one resulting in the tragic death of two individuals. Crash data from 2022-2023 shows about 12 vehicle accidents with a total of 20 vehicles and 26 persons involved and six persons being injured.
Last week, Waynesboro City Manager John Hickman announced that the City of Waynesboro was awarded a TSMP grant in the amount of $125,000.00 with no match from the city. These grant funds will be used to update and improve the traffic signals covered in the grant application.
The City of Waynesboro also submitted an application for the 2024 Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant. Approval for this grant was announced last week in the amount of $109,240.00. This grant also comes with no match required from the city. These grant funds will be used purchase 14 full sets of turnout gear including SCBA (breathing apparatus) equipment for the city’s fire department.
Members of the Waynesboro City Commission stated that City Manager John Hickman is to be commended for working to apply for these grant funds and continuing to work on the administration of the funds on the projects for which they are designated.
