Friday, Jun. 27, 2008

Red Light Cameras Not Ready

By Nicholas Sakelaris

Staff Writer

The city’s red light camera program came to a screeching halt this week.

The city put on the brakes after the contractor determined that the concrete supporting the camera poles needed to be redone, city spokesman Pilar Schank said.

The red light cameras were supposed to go live July 1 at Southlake Boulevard and Pearson Lane near Keller and at Gateway Drive and Texas 114 near Grapevine.

On June 30, the city announced that the start date was being postponed. The activation date has not been decided.

The contractor for the project is RedFlex Traffic Systems.

The cameras will snap photographs of motorists who run a red light at the intersection.

When the cameras are turned on, there will be a 30-day trial period where drivers will be mailed warning notices. After that, the vehicle owner will get citations for $75 for running a red light.

City officials are studying other intersections where additional cameras could be installed.