By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- Traffic has been backed up in downtown the last few days due to the replacement of signal systems and sidewalk work along Market Street.

Signal systems in downtown Potsdam are being replaced as part of a $760,000 signal replacement contract in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties, said Michael Flick of the state Department of Transportation’s Region 7 office.

“We do these contracts routinely across the region to bring old signals and systems up to date,” Flick said. “People don't realize the beating that signal systems take from the weather - and years of traffic is hard on the signal loops in the pavement.”

Part of the work includes reconstruction of pedestrian ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and the poles and mast arms were also replaced there, he said.

“We expect the new signals to be operational by the end of next week...but there will be intermittent single lane closures until the Oct. 21, he said. “This will be to not only finish the installs, but will also allow for removal of the existing poles and span wires.”

In response to several complaints in the North Country This Week Sound Off section about slow traffic lights in Potsdam, Flick said, “there are a number of signals along Market Street and given that Market is the main route with the highest traffic volume, that's the primary point of concern for a signal.”

Flick said that when there is a call for a signal change on a side street, the electronic controllers still have to process the request, and clear traffic before switching to green.

“People tend to think the change should be instantaneous...and it isn’t,” Flick said.

He said he would let the traffic office know there have been complaints about the signals there to see what, if anything, can be done.