Eight uncontrolled intersections in northeast Newton were approved for signage in an effort to complete the Safe Community Goal for the city. City council approved the final reading and adopted the ordinance adding stop signs at eight “T” intersections.
“The intersections in this area were analyzed by the Traffic Safety Committee based on school traffic, pedestrian traffic and the neighborhood dynamics,” interim city administrator Jarrod Wellik said.
The intersection are located in an area bound on the west by First Street North, on the east and north by city limits and on the south by First Avenue East. During the first reading of the ordinance, mayor Mike Hansen commented he has heard on more than one occasion that misoccurances have happened where the intersections were uncontrolled and that he thinks the work being done is a great idea.
“There is a process that we go through in determining how we address these issues. It is data driven,” Hansen said.
The committee recommended that stop signs be added at the following uncontrolled “T” intersections:
• A stop sign for eastbound traffic on North Third Avenue East at East 21st Street North.
• A stop sign for eastbound traffic on North Fifth Avenue East at East 16th Street North.
• A stop sign for eastbound traffic on North Seventh Avenue East at East Fifth Street North.
• A stop sign for eastbound traffic on North Seventh Avenue East at East 15th Street North.
• A stop sign for westbound traffic on South Eighth Avenue Place East at East 14th Street North.
• A stop sign for eastbound traffic on South Eighth Avenue Place East at East 15th Street North.
• A stop sign for westbound traffic on North Ninth Avenue East at East Fifth Street North.
• A stop sign for westbound traffic on North 10th Avenue East at East 17th Street East.
Since the city started the work to address the uncontrolled intersections, more than 25 intersections have been addressed in the northwest quadrant alone.
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com