Light up and running at Encanto, frontage road

A battery-operated, solar powered street light was installed Monday at the intersection of Camino Encanto and the west frontage road in Green Valley.

The light was requested several years ago, by the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council, but two recent traffic fatalities, one at that intersection and one at the intersection of the frontage road and Placita de la Cotonia drew widespread attention to the issue.

The light was installed by contractors for Pima County, said Chet Davis, the GVCCC's first vice president.

During a meeting of the GVCCC's Traffic and Arroyos Committee last Wednesday, Albert Lezkus, Pima County Transportation Department, said the county has already purchased two more solar lighting poles to hold in waiting.

While acknowledging that both fatal accident occurred during daytime hours. Lezkus said he hoped the new light "will prevent something from happening at night."

At last Wednesday's meeting, Department of Public Safety Sgt. Mike Lehar said investigators had determined that driver error was the major cause of both accidents.

kengle@gvnews.com | 625-5511 x26