Y2K Topic >> Phones Back After Y2K-Related Problem Seized Its Central Computer Since January 1 (Adirondack)

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Northway telephones back on Monday

By Reggie Beehner, Staff Writer

The emergency phone system that runs 64-miles along the Adirondack Northway roadside has been fixed and will be ready for use beginning Monday, state police officials said.

The system, which includes 64 phones stationed in one-mile intervals along the interstate from Pottersville to Keeseville, stopped working Jan. 1 after a Y2K-related problem seized its central computer.

The system's vendor, Signal Communications Inc. of Woburn , Mass., repaired the mainframe computer using remanufactured parts from similar systems, said state police Deputy Superintendent Hanford Thomas. Currently, the system is being tested and should continue without a problem, Thomas said.

The $20,000 estimated to cover the repair expenses came from a state police maintenance fund.

Following the system's crash, state police doubled the number of daily patrol units to the affected area.

"We do extra patrols in the winter anyway, but this will take some pressure off," Thomas said. "It's one more tool out there to help the people that are using that section of the Northway."

Police received an estimated 22 calls per month from travelers needing assistance or directions when the system was functioning, Thomas said.

The 11-year-old system is based on independent radio components that connect with a central tower at the state police station in Ray Brook. The solar-powered call boxes are positioned on poles 2 miles apart in the north- and southbound lanes, but the locations are staggered in each direction so that there is one phone per mile.

In 1989, the system replaced an older one that ran on regular phone lines and had aged to where it was no longer serviceable.

"Radio was more feasible and economical," Thomas said. "But this equipment is getting old. We'll continue to explore the alternatives."

Police spent approximately $3,000 a month in maintenance fees fixing problems caused by vandalism, car accidents and lightning.

http://www.poststar.com/news/local/story07.shtml

-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), February 23, 2000


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