Batavia aldermen question why city can't replace crossing signal

Batavia aldermen don't think the federal government should prohibit the city from replacing a pedestrian-crossing warning light that was destroyed in a recent accident on Batavia Avenue (Route 31) at McKee Street.

Getting creamed by a hit-and-run truck is not "end of useful life," according to Aldermen Alan Wolff and Mark Uher, especially since the city planned ahead when it stocked a spare when it bought the rectangular rapid flashing beacons in 2015.

The council Tuesday decided to ask the city attorney to research the federal prohibition.

The Federal Highway Administration in December rescinded its approval of the beacons. The government did so, according to a memo, because it became aware the devices had been patented and there were lawsuits over the patents. The agency prohibits use of patented devices, for the most part, in traffic-control devices. It said ones already installed could stay up until the end of their useful life.

An FAQ accompanying the memo reads: "In general terms, if the device is capable of being serviced with minimal effort or replacement parts so that it continues to operate as intended, and the device is otherwise substantially intact, then it can be considered to be in serviceable condition. If the device is damaged or not operational beyond reasonable repair, then it is likely no longer serviceable."

The beacon is activated when a pedestrian pushes a button. The lights warn drivers that someone wants to cross the street.

There are two others on Route 31 and several along Route 25.

The council also instructed public works director Gary Holm to ask the Illinois Department of Transportation to paint a crosswalk a block south of McKee at Houston Street.