8/22/2011
Four-way stop to remain at Buhl intersection
BUHL – The four-way stop that has been set up at the intersection of U.S. 30 and Idaho 46 (Clear Lake Road) will remain in place while a new pole is ordered, the Idaho Transportation Department announced. The stop signs were put in place following a crash Friday night that destroyed the traffic signal pole on the northwest corner of the intersection.
The stop signs will continue to be utilized until a new signal pole can be ordered and installed. ITD is considering other temporary traffic control at the intersection.
Further inspection of the pole foundation will also be necessary to ensure it was not also damaged. Typically, signal poles can take as much as four months to be manufactured and delivered.
“We don’t keep a large stockpile of signal poles because it’s costly and not very common for them to be hit or taken out of service,” District Four Traffic Engineer Bruce Christensen said. “Because of the traffic volumes of this intersection, we’ll try to expedite the order but it will still take time for it to be replaced.”
The signal pole was hit by a commercial truck attempting to turn westbound from Clear Lake Road that failed to negotiate the corner. The pole cracked near the base and had to be removed.