Courtesy Photo A contractor works on a traffic light that hangs near the road at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Hobbs Drive on Monday. A contractor inadvertently damaged a power pole which caused the traffic light over the busy intersection to sag close to the street. The intersection was made a four-way stop until full repairs can be made.

ALPENA — A mishap by a contractor working on the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Hobbs Drive resulted in the intersection being closed for several hours and nearly impacted how students at the Thunder Bay Junior High School would catch their buses.

The incident could spark more debate about a proposed extension of 3rd Avenue to Tamarack Road and the impact it could have on traffic and public safety.

According to the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office, a contractor inadvertently damaged a power pole which caused the traffic light over the busy intersection to dip down close to the street. The intersection is a four-way stop for the time being and barricades are present to guide traffic around equipment that may be present within the intersection.

Motorists are asked to avoid this intersection if possible or to use caution when traveling through it.

Alpena Public Schools Superintendent Dave Rabbideau said the traffic lights were hanging too low for trucks or school buses to clear safely. Because it was unknown how long it would take to make the needed repairs, the school district said several plans were considered to get students to buses, if needed.

Rabideau said that had the intersection remained closed when school was released, and buses couldn’t get to the school, the school district would have kids walk from the school to the Meijer parking lot, where they could get on their bus for a ride home.

“We considered several plans, but we would have had them walk from behind the school to the Meijer parking lot,” he said. “It appears that won’t be necessary as it should be cleared and safe before school lets out.”

Alpena Engineer Steve Shultz said crews addressed the traffic lights and stop signs were added to the corners to force a four-way stop. He said a four-way stop is not a long-term solution, however.

“We’ll go back to the street lights once we can get them fixed,” he said. “We can’t leave it a four-way stop.”

The extension of 3rd Avenue is being considered by Alpena Township and the Alpena County Road Commission but has received some opposition from people who live near where the extension would begin.

Officials in Alpena and the Alpena Public Schools have asked the project be put on hold until an updated traffic study can be done and included in the planning process.

The township and road commission have each said they are willing to contribute $1 million to the extension project, though Alpena Township has yet to officially commit the money.

Some people in the area say an extension of 3rd Avenue is needed because right now, there is only one primary way to get to the school and the nearby neighborhoods.

Alpena County Sheriff Erik Smith told The News in September that he believed changes are needed to make the school more easily accessible for first responders. He said the school wouldn’t be the only entity to benefit from the change, but families and their homes would also be better protected.

“With all of the congestion, buses, and pedestrians before and after school, it is just ridiculous right now,” Smith said. “This will only make things better and solve a big problem we have in that area.”

Road Commission Managing Director Ryan Brege said if the project moves forward, work on it could begin in the fall and could take three months or more to complete. A roundabout near Barrington Circle is also planned, which local road officials say would slow down traffic in that area.

Many people who live in the area oppose the project because it would mean a large spike in traffic that would disrupt their quality of life. Some said they’re open to an alternative, such as an access road to the school coming from a different direction. Others said wetlands in the area would make it tough to get needed permits for the project and water in the area would damage the new road quickly.

Alpena Township Supervisor Nathan Skibbe said he was at the scene of the incident at the intersection on Monday. He said at one point, a traffic light crashed to the ground and traffic had backed up in all directions well away from the intersection.

Skibbe said police and fire officials directed traffic in the area to try to loosen up the congestion of vehicles. He said he isn’t sure when the board of trustees will take action on the proposed $1 million expenditure for the extension project.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.