October 07, 2024

County removes all but one temporary stop sign after Hwy 14 reconstruction

Engineer says sign need at S. 96th Ave. W. and W. 16th St. S. intersection

Several intersections around the Monroe and Reasnor areas will be installed with temporary stop signs, and Jasper County Engineer Michael Frietsch says it is largely due to the Highway 14 construction diverting traffic to other roads.

Construction of Highway 14 between Monroe and Newton has concluded, which means several of the temporary stop signs placed at various interactions around the Monroe and Reasnor areas have been removed. However, the county engineer Michael Frietsch felt it was best to keep one set of signs permanent.

As a result, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 24 approved a resolution adding a stop sign on the eastbound South 96th Avenue West at the intersection of West 16th Street South. Frietsch said there are sight distance issues and warrants a stop control at the T-intersection.

Stop signs have since been removed from the following intersections:

• Rosebud Avenue and South 112th Avenue West

• West 24th Street South and South 104th Avenue West

• West 16th Street South and South 104th Avenue West

• West Eighth Street South and Rodeo Avenue West

• West Eighth Street South and South 112th Avenue West

• West Eighth Street South and South 104th Avenue West

• South 104th Avenue West and Rifle Street

Back in April, Frietsch said these roads were receiving heavy amounts of traffic after Highway 14 South closed due to construction. The posted detours guided motorists through Prairie City and Colfax, but many had learned to take gravel roads when traveling north from Monroe to access areas like Newton.

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig has a strong passion for community journalism and covers city council, school board, politics and general news in Newton, Iowa and Jasper County.