HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8889INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
SUBJECT: FREEWAY LIGHTING PROGRAM
No. 8889
October 23, 2007
Page 1 of 2
This Informal Report is to respond to Council's request for additional information about the Freeway
Lighting Program.
The freeway lighting system is in better shape than it has been in five years. The system is currently
operating at about an 80 percent service level. The freeway lights were at a 60 percent service level two
years ago. You recall that our goal is 85 percent, so we're not quite there yet. Outages along the frontage
roads and underpasses are bringing the overall system service level down. Currently, there are only six
knockdowns that require re- setting poles, of which five of these locations are pending re- drilling and
pouring new concrete bases.
The freeway lighting contractor, Republic ITS, currently is focusing efforts on underpass lighting. Crews
recently completed repairs at IH -35W and Belknap and the underpass lighting at Rosedale Boulevard and
Jessamine Street. They also recently repaired the high mast lighting on US 287 at East Lancaster Avenue,
where copper cabling was stolen.
The main lane freeway lighting is actually operating at about a 92 percent service level, with major
outage only on the South Freeway, due to ramp construction at Altamesa Boulevard (60 outages) and on
US 287 at Mitchell Boulevard due to a transformer failure (40 outages). Our efforts to repair these areas
are outlined below:
IH. 35W and Altamesa: We continue to work with TxDOT and its contractor on repairing the
lights in the Altamesa construction zone with limited success. TxDOT staff allowed its
contractor to remove our service feed and they have not been cooperative on getting it replaced..
We will continue to work with them in an attempt to expedite the repairs.
Mitchell Boulevard at US 287: Oncor Electric is scheduled to set a new transformer at Mitchell
Boulevard at US 287 by October 26. Once the electric transformer is set, Republic ITS crews will
rebuild the service center and remove the old service feed to re- energize the lights along US 287
from south of Rosedale Boulevard to Mitchell Boulevard.
Although the street light system already is improving, we are not yet at the service level that we want to
achieve. The Transportation and Public Works Department has been undergoing a review of the Street
Light Maintenance Program as a whole and is implementing changes that should provide even greater
efficiencies to help us achieve our overall system goal of an 85 percent operating service level. We will
report back on the results of these latest changes later this year.
TPW is working also on improving communications on street light complaints. Currently, TPW has
individual tracking systems within each program ate. They have had limited success with these
individual systems hacking the complaints, subsequent work orders, and citizen follow -up
communications. The ultimate solution will be the development and implementation of a "work order
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS