Transportation: Highways

On a $1.1 million subcontract from Crane-Hogan Structural Systems, O’Connell Electric installed and integrated Closed Circuit TV’s, Dynamic Messaging Signs, and Remote Vehicle Monitoring System Terminals for the project.  The monitoring terminals are the first microwave vehicle detectors installed in Upstate New York.  O'Connell performed design work to incorporate the microwave detector units into the overall system.

In 1972, O’Connell had provided electrical construction services on the former Troup-Howell Bridge for a major lane expansion initiative. Thirty-five years later we were back on location providing electrical construction services for lighting the new bridge. O’Connell aided field engineers in interpreting the electrical plans for the bridge’s innovative accent lighting system and worked closely with the general contractor and New York State DOT to satisfy all electrical objectives. The final results speak for themselves.

O’Connell was hired to implement the red light enforcement system throughout the City of Rochester, contracting directly with Redflex for the work at each of the 50 intersections. Our in-depth familiarity with the city municipality and understanding of New York State DOT protocols helped us secure the project, along with our competitive price. Contributing factors also included our extensive roadway, traffic signal, and street lighting experience, knowledge of Intelligent Transportation Systems, and our Closed-circuit Television, audiovisual, and data expertise. Each installation involved mounting of the Redflex detection devices to existing structures or installing proprietary pole systems to carry them. Positioning of the equipment needed to be exact to ensure optimum functionality of each install. In addition to the cameras and strobes, pavement cuts were made for installing in-pavement vehicle sensors at each intersection as well as excavation and trenching to bring in power, lay conduit, and pour foundations for the dedicated support structures.

Initial data confirms that traffic related accidents across all intersections are down.

Under a $5 million sub-contract from Crane-Hogan Structural Systems, O’Connell Electric provided all electrical construction and data communications work for the new bridge’s power and control systems, highway approach lighting, bridge accent lighting, security systems, and area traffic control signals.

O’Connell’s electrical work for bridge power and control systems was critical for operational reliability.  The drive in each of the bridge’s bascule leaves consists of interconnected dual electric motors.  Standby power for all bridge systems was supplied by an auto-start diesel generator.  The control system allows semi-automatic operation of the drive system via a programmable logic computer.

O’Connell’s fiber optics work included design and installation of two-72 strand submarine cables installed under the river bed, alongside the electric, which linked bridge and highway CCTV systems, several traffic signal controls, a local water and wastewater plant, and controls for future area needs.

The computer controlled accent lighting system O’Connell installed incorporates several service levels spanning “Standard” to “Full Ornamental” for special events.