Traffic Signals:
The Traffic Department operates and maintains 722 controlled intersections in the City of Racine. The City is currently in the middle of an LED conversion project for all intersections with traffic signals. Traffic Services is also working to improve pedestrian safety in the city by installing push buttons, countdown heads and audible push buttons for the visually challenged at intersections around the city.
Essential signs are handled as emergencies and are generally repaired with 24 hours if not sooner depending on the location and type of sign. These include but are not limited to: Stop, Yield, Do Not Enter, or One Way signs.
Traffic Signals are treated as a high priority and repaired as soon as possible, however sometimes repairs require specialized control components that if damage in an accident can take time to replace. When this happens signals are left in a flashing state until the required components arrive.
The City of Racine started making the transition to LED style traffic lights. This was in an effort to both save money on operating costs and improve safety by reducing the amount of electricity used to run the lights. Cut down on maintenance costs by not needing to service them as often or as quickly if a light were to fail on a major intersection. By using LED lights will still operate with a damaged LED circuit as there are many vs a traditional bulb that will not function at all when the filament burns out.
Depending on the location the lights may be the responsibility of the City of Racine, Mt Pleasant, Caledonia, or the State of Wisconsin.
To report a down sign or signal please call the Racine County Dispatch Center at 262-886-2300 (Non Emergency Number).
Street Lights:
Street lights service provides for public safety via well lit streets and thoroughfares. Service installs, maintains and operates street light circuits, repairs knockdown damage and provides routine maintenance.
Street lights are installed on intersections, and any street measuring 150-699 feet long will have one mid-block light. Any street measuring 700-1,049 feet have two mid-block lights.
In 2012 the City of Racine began removing lights in addition to making the switch to LED style street lights. This has proven to be a cost saving measure as the lights are cheaper to operate and require less maintenance over time. The LED bulbs will continue to function even if a circuit is damaged.
Journal times Article - Streetlight removals net savings
Journal times Article - Possible City lighting deal in the works
To report a damaged Street Light please fill out the online web form here, or select Report a Street Light from the send us a message section below.
We will respond in a timely fashion for repair. Please be sure to be as detailed as possible when describing the location. Most poles have a tag on them that make identifying it quick and easy. If you can not locate the tag a detailed location is critical, please include cross streets and a house number of the nearest residence.