The broken traffic light at the intersection of Hale and Prentice streets in the City of Norwich flashes yellow for drivers in all directions. City officials are now pondering the notion of removing the light in favor of a four-way stop. (Photo by Shawn Magrath)

NORWICH – Citing mechanical issues in need of high-cost repairs, Norwich officials are entertaining the notion to remove the traffic light at one of the city’s busiest intersections.

The 40-year-old light at the intersection of Hale and Prentice streets has been largely inoperable since mid June, when failed mechanisms in the control panel were repaired only to see recurring problems a few days later. The city’s last attempt to repair the panel on June 20 resulted in a fix that lasted only a few hours.

Norwich DPW Superintendent Tim Miller addressed the issue with the city’s joint committees earlier this month.

“At this point, it’s obvious repairs are off the table,” Miller said to committee members. “It’s old. It's a mechanical run control panel in which mechanics move several parts. If one of those parts stops working, the whole light stops working.”

Getting the traffic light up and running again starts at a cost of roughly $20,000 for updates. Conservative estimates for new lights and electrical upgrades come in even higher at about $58,000, Miller said; but it’s possible that long-lasting repairs may also reach upwards of $100,000.