CLINTON —
Residents may have been wondering where the traffic signals at the intersection of Fifth Street and Second Avenue South went and why they’re now being guided by stop signs with flashing lights and solar panels.
According to City Engineer Jason Craft, the four-way stop that’s now in place is all the intersection needed.
“The traffic counts just didn’t warrant signals,” Craft said. “This is now a safer, more cost effective, more efficient intersection.”
The stop signs were put in place after a traffic signal warrant analysis confirmed Craft’s suspicions. The stop signs are equipped with red flashing lights that are solar powered, costing nothing for the city to operate and creating an extra layer of warning for drivers approaching the intersection.
Similar stop signs were implemented at the intersection of Fifth Street and Fifth Avenue South last year after Craft said the traffic at that intersection also did not warrant, and was in fact disrupted by, traffic signals.
The intersection has seen a reduction in crashes since the stop signs replaced the traffic signals, he said.
“I think the traffic signals were the cause of more than half of accidents,” Craft said.
The city is looking at reducing the number of traffic signals across town in order to improve safety and increase efficiency. Next year, Craft hopes to remove the traffic signals from Fifth Street and Seventh Avenue South.
The city also is attempting to increase safety along Mill Creek Parkway. The Clinton City Council approved the application for an $80,000 grant through the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Traffic Safety Improvement program. The grant would be used to install an intersection conflict warning system at the two-way stop intersections of Mill Creek Parkway and 13th Avenue North as well as one at Mill Creek Parkway and Second Avenue South.
The project would warrant a $20,000 contribution from the city. If the grant was awarded, it would be used to install flashing yellow lights along Mill Creek Parkway with signs reading “Caution crossing traffic when flashing.”
“That intersection clearly does not warrant signalization,” Craft said. “But we want that traffic to slow down on Mill Creek Parkway.”
The money would also pay for red flashing lights before the stop sign on 13th Avenue North with signage reading “traffic approaching when flashing.”
Both sets of flashing lights would be set off by a sensor system.
“It’s an innovative new device,” Craft said.
While the city applied for funding for both projects, Craft said the technology would be utilized best at the 13th Avenue North intersection. In five years, 12 accidents have occurred there, with one fatality in 2007. Second Avenue North has not had as many, but one accident did result in a fatality.
Local News
Related Photos
-
The new stop signs at the intersection of Fifth Street and Second Avenue South, including this one, are more safe, efficient and cost effective than the traffic signals previously used, Clinton City Engineer Jason Craft said. The stop signs feature a solar-powered flashing red light to warn drivers of the four-way stop. Katie Dahlstrom/Clinton Herald
Discussion
City replaces traffic signals
- Local News
-
- New local bargaining unit formed CLINTON -- A new collective bargaining unit has formed to represent Clinton County deputies, correctional officers and secretaries. "We just did not have strong backing from the former union," said Deputy Jeff Ernst, president of the Clinton County S
- Community stands up to support Fulton coach FULTON, Ill. -- Community members flooded the River Bend District Office on Monday to speak their minds and share their feelings on the school board's decision to not reinstate Coach Jamie Farrell as the Fulton High School Boys Varsity Baseball coach
-
Man charged after knife incident
CLINTON -- A bar fight on Saturday escalated with one man returning with a knife. Ricardo Hernandez, 48, 441 Sixth Ave. South, apartment five, is charged with going armed with intent, carrying weapons and public intoxication. Clinton police responde
-
City looks at upping waste service fees
CLINTON -- Clinton residents could soon pay $1.39 more for their solid waste services monthly as city officials find ways to shore up the solid waste fund.
- Second TIF district eyed FULTON, Ill. -- Development discussions for the 112 acres of land purchased by the city of Fulton last month has begun. The city council met Monday to review a presentation from SB Friedman Senior Project Manager Geoff Dickenson for a new potential
-
Prospect Avenue questions to be answered
CLINTON — The city of Clinton will host a public meeting regarding Prospect Avenue construction Wednesday at Clinton City Hall. The public information meeting will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in City Council chambers at Clinton City Hall. The
- Union Pacific routes money back into community CLINTON -- Five Clinton-area non-profit organizations were awarded grants from the Union Pacific Foundation on Monday. Big Brother Big Sisters, the Friends of the Clinton Public Library, Mercy Medical Center, the River City Municipal Band and the Un
- Head out on the highway CLINTON -- Around 400 Harley riders will cruise into Clinton this weekend as the city hosts the Harley Owners Group 2013 state rally. From Thursday through Saturday, Clinton will be filled with bikers from across the state who will take part in var
-
End of the road for landfill's bio-reactor
The county landfill will scrap its bio-reactor. The Clinton County Area Solid Waste Agency heard a quote from James Luther Kiln & Dryer on repairing the broken bio-reactor vessel during Thursday's meeting, learning the project could cost as much as $750,000.
-
More than Paint: School districts prepare to merge as Easton Valley
Members of the Preston and East Central communities are preparing for the major change of their districts becoming one. As of late, those preparations involved gallons of orange and grey paint.
- More Local News Headlines
