Hudson Public Works director discusses when traffic lights go out

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Each summer Hudson inevitably receives numerous lightning, thunder, and wind storms that bowl through the community. These storms occasionally bring power outages, which can cause issues with important city resources, such as traffic lights.

Tom Zeuli, director of Public Works and Parks for the city of Hudson, says the Public Works Department deals with power outages and issues with the city’s traffic lights three to four times a summer. Zeuli says of all the signals have folding stop signs that are engaged when the lights are not functioning and the intersections should be treated as four-way stops when the lights go dark.

He said of the four-way stop backup system, “It slows traffic up, but that’s all we can do until we can get it corrected.”

He said there has been good luck with the lights this year. Saying that, despite last week’s storms, “I don’t think we’ve had any issues this year yet.”

Causes of malfunctions with the lights and power sources stem from various issues, including lightning strikes to transformers, wind storms that take out power lines, wires breaking under a tree and trouble with rodents.

The department is quickly notified if any malfunctions occur.

“We’ll work together with the local police department and they’ll notify us of any issues with the lights,” said Zeuli.

According to Zeuli, once power is restored following storms, the lights usually reset and go back into operation. He said at times there are issues with the technology. Replacements of parts inside electrical control cabinets can be solved in around an hour, he claimed. Bigger issues which require more technical support “could take some time,” he said.

Whatever issues occur with the lights, Zeuli said the Public Works will work to solve the trouble.

“Generally if we do have some problems with the intersection, we can get it corrected.”

Tags: news, traffic, hudson