It is going to cost about $20,000 for state workers to overhaul signal-lighting equipment just at one site in Leitchfield.

The first rebuild is taking place at the intersection of highway 62 and East Walnut Street.

The work will entail installing new poles, wiring, signal heads and signal controllers.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Public Information Officer Chris Jessie explained the reason for the replacements are due to the equipment being almost 20 years old.

“The signal rebuild at US62 and Walnut Street in Leitchfield is almost complete,” Jessie said. “Davis H. Elliot, a signal contractor out of Lexington, is performing the install. The wiring, signal heads, signal controller, and existing wood pole (in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church corner) were very old and in bad shape. There was a safety need to get pedestrian signals at this location. To get these in, Mr. Fleener at Fleener’s Home Planning was nice enough to let us install a new pole in the corner of his property.”

This process will allow for safer travel for pedestrians and motorists at that location.

“Researching old records, it’s looks like it has been at least 20 years since this signal was last upgraded,” Jessie mentioned. “This is a good lifespan considering the constant exposure to the elements. The approximate cost for labor and material for this rebuild is $15,000-$20,000.”

Other spots that will receive rebuilds include four-signal poles at the intersection of highway 62 and KY259, and the signal light at KY259 and Southgate Mall.

“We are in the planning stages of replacing 4 signal poles at the intersection of US62 and KY259 (Southern Intersection),” Jessie explained. “Details are not in stone yet. This intersection already has pedestrian crossings. New wiring and equipment will decrease the chances of timing malfunctions and susceptibility to lightning weather. We are also in the early-planning stages of possibly rebuilding the signal at KY259 and Southgate Mall. Leitchfield has nine-traffic signals (one in Clarkson). All signals have relatively new equipment with the exception of these three.”