By Kellen Olshefski
Editor
The City of Elkhorn Municipal Services and Utilities Committee is expecting to vote on whether to include Emergency Vehicle Pre-Emption devices in traffic lights the Department of Transportation is adding at the Highway 67 and Interstate 43 interchange this spring.
City of Elkhorn Police Chief Joel Christensen said at the Jan. 26 committee meeting the DOT is installing the traffic lights, which will then be likely turned over to the city to maintain.
Christensen said given the route is highly utilized to access both Mercy Walworth and Lakeland hospital by ambulances and emergency services traveling from the south, the committee needs to determine whether it would be in the city’s best interest to have the devices installed. The devices would allow emergency vehicles to easily stop traffic from all direction when approaching the intersection, allowing them safe and quick passage.
The cost to install the devices would be about $7,000, a cost the city would have to cover as it’s not in the DOT’s design, though they have given the city the option to include it. The cost to retro-fit the lights at a later date would be significantly more expensive, according to City Administrator Sam Tapson.
Christensen said the transmitters needed for each of the vehicles – ambulances, squad cars and the fire department’s fleet – retails at about $2,000 apiece.
Needing to make a decisions by March 1 at the absolute latest, the committee opted in favor of gathering more options on the cost before making a final decision. Additionally, City Engineer Paul Vanhenkelum suggested contacting local state representatives to see if a letter from them might help with funding the installment of the devices, possibly convincing the DOT to include the devices in the design at no cost.
The committee is expected to meet Monday at 4 p.m. in the first floor conference room.
