Traffic signal near TJ may be removed

School district officials are working with the city to ensure the removal of an all-way traffic signal does not hinder the safety of students who regularly cross the intersection when leaving from or going to Thomas Jefferson Elementary.

The traffic signal is located at the intersection of Highway 14 and North Fourth Avenue West in Newton, northeast of the nearby elementary school.

Studies conducted by the City of Newton’s engineering firm, Bolton & Menk, showed the signalized intersection does not meet the state’s desired criteria to enforce an all-way stop system, which was installed several decades ago. During school days, a crossing guard is posted at the intersection to guide students.

According to data collected in the traffic study by Bolton & Menk, Highway 14 has an annual average daily traffic county of 4,150 per day. Movement counts performed Nov. 21, 2019 found 10 pedestrians crossed Highway 14 during school arrival, while 13 pedestrians crossed during dismissal.

Public Works Director Jody Rhone said in an April 13 memo addressed to City Administrator Matt Muckler that staff has depleted its stock of spare parts to keep the older style intersection system operational. At this point, the system requires upgrades, including a completely new cabinet, controller and wiring.

These issues prompted the city to schedule its engineering traffic study, which is required by the Iowa Department of Transportation before any project to remove or upgrade a signal is approved. Since the traffic signal is on an intersection of a city street and state highway, the jurisdiction is not wholly owned by one entity.

Rhone said he is unsure how the traffic signal was approved by the IDOT in the first place. The system was established before he and his staff were working for the City of Newton, and Rhone cannot find any records of it. It is possible that the criteria was different at that time, he said.

Currently, there is no official, city-developed proposal on this issue.

However, based on the study, Rhone recommended the city work with the school district and IDOT to create a school zone on Highway 14, with restricted speeds during appropriate hours. The traffic signals would also be removed. In its place, a two-way, east/west stop would be created on North Fourth Avenue West.

The traffic study proposed a highly visible pedestrian crossing be made, too. Temporary stop signs — which would allow children to cross Highway 14 — could also be used during the school arrival and dismissal times to help the school crossing guard stop traffic if needed.

Muckler guessed one proposal may recommend to replace the lights and components in a similar manner to the way the city handled its traffic signal project on First Avenue. IDOT would also need to approve the city’s eventual proposal before its brought to consideration by council members.

Muckler said the city is probably two to three months out on wrapping up the proposal and discussions with the IDOT, and six months out on completing the project. Regardless, the city administrator said the current traffic signals will remain operational until a project is completed.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext 6560 or at cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com