Cities Put Pedal to Metal Ahead of Red-Light Camera Ban
Mario Tama
Southlake and Arlington are prepared to keep their red-light cameras, even if the devices are banned by the state.
Two North Texas cities are negotiating long-term contracts for red-light cameras in an effort to drive around a proposed statewide ban.
Arlington and Southlake are racing to beat lawmaker approval of an amendment that would ban the devices in Texas.
The measure would allow cities to keep their cameras until their current contract expires. For many cities, that would be in 2011 and 2012, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
The state House has approved the amendment, which could still see debate in the Senate.
Southlake signed a 15-year deal on Wednesday to extend its contract through 2024, the Star-Telegram reported. Arlington says it will sign a long-term deal to be in effect through 2027 if it looks like the ban will pass, according to the newspaper.
Posted Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 - 2:28 PM CST
