Traffic Signal Foreman

Traffic Signal Construction Foreman Role Summary

The Traffic Signal Construction Foreman is responsible for leading the field installation of signalized intersections and related transportation infrastructure. This role coordinates civil, electrical, low-voltage, and traffic safety work to achieve acceptance by DOT/municipal inspectors, prime contractor QC, and project engineers. The Foreman ensures the intersection can be safely energized, commissioned, and accepted for project turnover and billing. Signal construction is a critical-path scope; the Foreman must manage scheduling dependencies, lane closures, subcontractors, inspectors, and turn-up coordination to support on-time project completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Field Installation & Construction
• Install mast arms, signal poles, ped heads, vehicle heads, cabinets, UPS/BBU, detection devices, handholes, conduit, pull rope, grounding, and associated equipment per plans/specs.
• Oversee trenching, boring, and underground work for conduit and detection systems.
• Verify civil work (foundations, pedestal bases, concrete pads) meets plan and structural requirements.
• Cookordinate heavy lifts (cranes, bucket trucks, aerial lifts) with GC and subcontractors.
• Ensure equipment and materials are staged, protected, and compliant with project phasing.
• Turn-Up & Commissioning
• Conduct cabinet power-up, energization check, and hardware bring-up.
• Test and troubleshoot loops, radar, and/or video detection for correct actuation.
• Verify signal heads, pedestrian signals, and pushbuttons align with phasing sheets and plan sets.
• Make basic adjustments in controller to enable temporary and/or initial operational functionality while waiting for final timing/coordination from engineers.
• Support engineer/controller vendor during timing download, coordination setup, and burn-in.
• Coordinate inspector acceptance for substantial completion and turnover.
• Traffic Control & Safety (MOT)
• Read and execute MOT plans in accordance with MUTCD and project specifications.
• Cookordinate lane closures with GC, MOT subcontractors, DOT, and local agencies.
• Manage night work, alternate work windows, and lane closure restrictions as required.
• Enforce safety rules for energized cabinets, bucket truck operation, fall protection, and live traffic environments.
• Schedule & Subcontractor Coordination
• Interface with GC superintendent for sequencing, schedule updates, road closures, and inspection holds.
• Cookordinate with bore crews, splicers, crane operators, concrete crews, striping crews, and utility locators.
• Adjust field sequencing as required to support critical path dependencies.
• Communicate schedule risks, utility conflicts, or plan discrepancies to project leadership.
• Inspector & Customer Interface
• Cookordinate field acceptance with: DOT inspectors, City/municipal inspectors, GC/prime QC reps, Resident engineers, Walk inspectors.
• Walk through as-built conditions, device placement, and workmanship.
• Resolve field comments, punch list items, and discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Documentation & Reporting
• Document production quantities, device installations, lane closure times, and construction notes.
• Submit daily reports for labor, equipment, MOT, and material usage.
• Support as-built documentation for project turnover and final billing.
• Report damage, utility conflicts, and near-misses for safety compliance.
• Crew Leadership & Training
• Lead and develop construction signal technicians and apprentices.
• Assign tasks and monitor quality, pacing, and safety adherence.
• Train crew members on signal installation, MOT, basic troubleshooting, and equipment use.

Required Qualifications

• 3–5+ years experience in traffic signal or related civil/electrical infrastructure.
• Ability to read and interpret signal plans, wiring diagrams, phase sheets, and project specifications.
• Experience coordinating with inspectors, engineers, and GC superintendents.
• Proficiency in crew leadership and field training.
• Ability to work safely around live traffic and energized cabinets.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for detection, wiring, and device bring-up.

Preferred Certifications

• IMSA Traffic Signal Technician Level I (required or obtained within 12 months).
• IMSA Traffic Signal Technician Level II (preferred).
• OSHA 10 or 30.
• MOT/Flagger certification (NC or equivalent).
• First Aid/CPR.
• Bucket truck and aerial lift training.
• CDL (if operating CDL equipment).