Othello Main Street crossing light installation wrapping up

OTHELLO — Installation of two new caution lights designed to improve pedestrian safety on Othello’s Main Street could be finished by the end of October.

Crews have been working on the project since the spring. The total project cost was about $629,000.

The lights are located on Fifth and Sixth avenues at their intersections with Main Street.

The light poles and lights have been installed, but city engineer Shawn O’Brien said completion has been delayed due to a lack of materials for the electrical systems.

Delivery of the materials has been delayed repeatedly, O’Brien said. Currently, delivery is scheduled for mid-October.

Installation should take about two days once the materials arrive, O’Brien said. Once the materials arrive, the project can be completed no matter the time of year.

The pedestrian signals arch out over the street like a regular stoplight, but are flashing yellow lights. Pedestrians will push a button when they want to cross the street. O’Brien said there wasn’t enough traffic at those intersections to warrant a traffic light.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.