April 19, 2024

East Third Street traffic signal removal denied

By Jamee A

The traffic signal at First Avenue East and East Third Street will be repaired following a malfunction in May. The city looked at removing the signal following the malfunction as it was deemed the only signal recommended for removal by an Iowa Department of Transportation study but city council did not further the ordinance change during its second reading. (Jamee A)

An ordinance to remove traffic signals at the intersection of First Avenue East and East Third Street failed to garner a motion from the city council. The ordinance was on its second reading at last week’s meeting but had found some resistance during the first reading on May 16.

“Since I live on East Third Street South, I’ve been witness to a couple of situation since the change has happened,” councilwoman Lin Chapé said. “It is a safety hazard and line of sight for one thing. However, even the way the stop sign is positioned right now, it is easy to miss. People just go right through.”

The city proposed removing the traffic signal after it malfunctioned on May 2. Bags were placed over the signals and temporary stop signs were installed for northbound and southbound traffic on East Third Street.

The Newton Traffic Safety Committee met on May 5, and following a review of a recent traffic study performed on the downtown, recommended the removal of the signals. The review sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation and administered by Snyder & Associates completed the study on April 28 and indicated that traffic counts do not warrant signals at most of the intersection in the downtown.

It did find that because of the location of existing buildings, most traffic signals are needed. The only intersection the study found an exception to was on East Third Street. The report recommended the signals be removed and replaced with stop signs on the minor streets approaching First Avenue as long as the city worked with local business owners to prevent vehicles from parking near the intersection in an area that would impair the motorist’s line of site.

Bob McCormick, owner of Cappy’s Tire and Auto Service, is one of the businesses located at the intersection. McCormick spoke to the council about concerns he had with the removal of the traffic signal.

“We’ve heard breaks squeal several times out there, all of us,” McCormick said. “My biggest concern is safety. People coming from the west going east, once they get past Dairy Queen will not see or hear an ambulance going down that street. It could be a four-way stop sign. Something has to be done.”

Following the city’s decision to not move forward with the removal of the signals, work started to repair the signals so they can function property again, Public Work Director Keith Laube said.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com