Change order tied to traffic light pole

FORT SMITH — City Directors signed off on a resolution authorizing a change order with Hot Springs-based All Service Electric Inc. for the city’s 2019 Traffic Signal Improvements project.

The move adds $22,345 to the contract amount for an adjusted total of $ 468,629, in addition to increasing the contract time by 84 calendar days.

Engineering Department Director Stan Snodgrass wrote that a motor vehicle accident Nov. 1 “severely damaged” the traffic signal pole at the southwest corner of Fresno Street and Wheeler Avenue. The damage created safety concerns that the pole could break and collapse into the travel lane.

“As such, the pole and mast arm were removed and four way stop signs were installed as temporary traffic control at this intersection,” Snodgrass wrote.

A price to install a new traffic signal pole and mast arm at the intersection was obtained from All Service Electric, and Snodgrass said the company is mobilized and working on the 2019 Traffic Signal Improvements project. A similar-sized pole and mast arm from that project that had not been installed yet was used to replace the damaged pole.

Snodgrass wrote the damaged pole will cost $22,345 to replace. Traffic signal poles and mast arms are also custom manufactured for each location, necessitating a typical minimum lead time of about 84 days.

“A claim is being filed with the city’s insurance coverage with the Arkansas Municipal League as it appears the responsible party for the motor vehicle accident has no insurance,” Snodgrass wrote.