New signs warn of freezing temps

Jan 03, 2012 at 04:05 pm by Observer-Review


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New signs warn of freezing temperatures

    SCHUYLER COUNTY—The Schuyler County Highway Department has installed 15 new signs that change color when the temperature nears freezing.
    Superintendent of Highways Greg Mathews said the IceAlert freeze indicators are an additional way to remove the element of surprise regarding freezing roads and sidewalks. He said the signs were put in three locations: one mile of Route 23, Route 16 heading towards the race track, and at the Genesee Street bridge in Montour Falls.
    Mathews said each reflector cost the county $75, but the signs were actually made by the county highway department. The IceAlert system comprises six inch diameter indicators that change color from white to blue as temperatures approach freezing, or 32 degrees. Mathews said he has already seen the temperature drop from 40 degrees to 34 degrees in two hours.
    “The most treacherous conditions are during the transition from wet to freezing surfaces,” Mathews said. “These indictors will give pedestrians and motorists another reminder to use caution when the conditions are changing.”
    Chris Bond, director of Structures for Hunt Engineers, Architects & Land Surveyors, P.C., worked with Mathews and members of his highway crews to determine the best locations for the devices. Mathews said 15 areas of concern were found and signs placed at the top three. He added he would like to install more, pending either state or federal funding.
    He explained he saw the signs being used in Virginia and decided to try them out in Schuyler. He said the Schuyler County Legislature approved him to try a pilot program and purchase a limited number of signs.

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