Ark Valley News - Lights bring city into future

The traffic light system at Main and Meridian includes turn arrows and pedestrian signals.

Lights bring city into future
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: July 29, 2015

It's beginning to look a lot like a 21st century intersection.

Main and Meridian in Valley Center is stepping into the future this week with new traffic lights.

It's part of the city's $6.7 million reconstruction of Meridian and Ford streets.

The modern lights and metal poles replace the old system of dangling lights on wooden poles.

"Everything is going well," said Josh Golka, city engineer.

The installation work this week is leading to an Aug. 3 re-opening of all lanes of Meridian. The street has been under construction since March 16.

"We are still looking good for Aug. 3," Golka said this week.

When Meridian opens, focus of the work will shift to Ford (77th), where a half-mile section between Meridian and the Little Ditch bridge just west of the Prairie Lakes neighborhood will be closed during the remainder of the project in October.

Golka said the outer northbound lane of Meridian at Ford will be closed to give crews room to work on the street, which will include demolition next week.

When it opens and is re-striped, Meridian will be a three-lane road from Main to Clay. South of Clay, Meridian will have a right-turn-only northbound lane.

The following is the city's weekly project update:

Current Status of Construction

•The second phase of concrete driveway and intersection construction along east half of Meridian and Ramsey is complete pending concrete cure time and joint sealing. Intersection traffic signals scheduled to be opened on Aug. 3.

•Pond grading ongoing south of Ford Street working from the south end of the detention pond towards the north.

•Concrete construction at pump station ongoing. Work scheduled to begin on concrete outfall structure.

Next Steps of Construction

•Pavement demolition along Ford Street starting at Meridian and working eastward starting Aug. 3. Storm sewer and concrete paving to follow demolition.

•Work along Ford Street scheduled from Aug. 3 through October. Electronic message board placed along Ford Street at bridge over floodway advertising closure.