SALEM — City council approved the cost-sharing agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for traffic signal upgrades.

City Service Safety Director Joe Cappuzzello said that the project will update the traffic signal software on State Street to improve synchronicity and traffic flow and is expected to begin after the Super Cruise in June.

“It’s the software that runs them, they’re antiquated, they’re out of date, and they’re out of warranty. They’re over 20 years old…that will help synchronize the lights and get the software up to date so they’ll be more efficient and effective moving traffic through,” said Cappuzzello.

The city will pay approximately 20% of the total project cost after receiving an approximately $380,000 joint state and federal grant for the project aimed at reducing pollution, for an estimated cost to the city of $110,964.40.

“We were able to get the grant because it’s going to help reduce pollution caused by people idling at [stop] lights,” said Cappuzzello.

Cappuzzello said that the cost of the project was figured into the city budget ahead of time and that after discussing the project with the Ohio Department of Transportation was able to be scaled back for an additional $60,000 savings from the originally budgeted $174,000.

“Our share right now is for $110,000 so we actually saved another $60,000 through the relationships we have with ODOT especially,” said Cappuzzello.

Council also voted unanimously to approve an ordinance authorizing Parks Director Kelli Pastore to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the sale of the parks department’s used 2004 Ford F-150. The department recently replaced the vehicle with a 2016 Chevy Silverado purchased from Hilltop Energy Inc. At a discounted price of $5,000. While the council did vote unanimously to give the ordinance all three readings for passage, it did not have the emergency clause, meaning the ordinance will be subject to a 30-day waiting period prior to taking effect.

City council will meet next at 7 p.m. April 15.