Scary Photo!!

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tonype

Senior Member
Location
New Jersey
Traffic light pole (light is canilevered about 30 feet out over the road)somewhere in NJ. Saw this as I sat at the light yesterday Photobucket on a very windy day :eek: :eek: - I was not very comfortable. I wonder what the electrical tape is for?

Tony

PS: I did contact two municipal agencies (Traffic and Engineering Divisions) - hopefully this gets corrected very quickly.

PSS: Light was operable
 

Brian D

Member
Location
Mahopac, NY
Re: Scary Photo!!

Nice picture! The electrical tape is there to keep the wiring from going all over the place, we wouldn't want anyone to get hurt!
 

tonype

Senior Member
Location
New Jersey
Re: Scary Photo!!

Brian:

My guess is that this pole got in the way of a vehicle (those pesky poles) - someone then used the electrical tape to tuck in those wires after the base was blown away at impact. Don't those bolts look good!

Tony
 

jimwalker

Senior Member
Location
TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Scary Photo!!

Don't worry,them bolts will bend slowly as the pole hits the ground.They are saving money by removing the pole this way.The new one is on back order and will be there in a few years. :D
 

induster

Member
Re: Scary Photo!!

eh, looks like a temp repair... probably got hit in the middle of the night and they are waiting on a part.
 

tshea

Senior Member
Location
Wisconsin
Re: Scary Photo!!

Originally posted by hbiss:
Nahh, looks like some idiot installed anchor bolts that were about a foot too long then another idiot installed the pole on them.

-Hal
The pedestal is missing (blown up). Probably stolen for it's cash value :D
 

Ken9876

Senior Member
Location
Jersey Shore
Re: Scary Photo!!

The pedestal is missing (blown up). Probably stolen for it's cash value
That's probably not far for true. In the area I work out of a guy was removing the bolts that hold the meter cabinet down, and lopping off the service conductors. He eventually got smart and started removing the screws that hold the back board on, leaving the meter and disconnect free standing.
 

charlie b

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Lockport, IL
Occupation
Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: Scary Photo!!

Originally posted by tonype:I wonder what the electrical tape is for?
That electrical tape is there to prevent the wind from blowing all the electrons out of the wires. :p
 

tom baker

First Chief Moderator
Staff member
Re: Scary Photo!!

This type of pole foundation has a metal cover that encloses the bolts. When removed it allows access to the PVC conduit stub to pull in wires.
Out west, the poles have anchor bolts with nuts on both sides of the pole base plate. The base plate sits about 2" above the top of the foundation, after leveling this area is filled with hydraulic grout that expands and pushes up on the base plate, to keep it tight.
 

tonype

Senior Member
Location
New Jersey
Re: Scary Photo!!

Went past the site again today - unfortunately, despite my calls to 2 city agencies, nothing has been done, especially with respect the electrical wiring (remember the recent incidents in NYC - a dog "frying" comes to mind).

Anyway, if anyone knows someone in Newark, NJ or Essex County, this traffic light pole is at the southwest corner of 4th Avenue and Broadway.
 
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