INTERSECTION CHANGE: No right turn on red on south side of E. 12th St., First Ave.

Reports from Newton citizens of “near miss” collisions at the intersection of East 12th Street North and First Avenue East have not fallen on deaf ears.

On Monday, March 15, the city council approved the final reading of an ordinance change that would add a “No Right Turn on Red” sign on the south quadrant of the intersection to help improve safety.

Staff receivedconcerns about vehicles turning right onto First Avenue from East 12th Street when the traffic signal was red. The city describes this area as “a busy, four-way, multi-lane intersection.”

Complaints from citizens indicate there is limited visibility from the west. Although traffic accident reports from the past three years do not show collisions being caused by this issue, citizens report witnessing near misses.

After a sight triangle analysis of the intersection was conducted by the city’s Traffic Safety Committee, it was determined insufficient for vehicles to safely view conflicting vehicles or objects approaching from the west.

The committee recommended a “No Right Turn on Red” sign be designated in the affected area in an attempt to decrease the opportunities for collisions or other traffic disruptions.

Councilperson Steve Mullan said it’s a “bad” intersection.

“Especially around the wind power building there,” Mullan said. “If you’re coming from the south and you want to turn right, it’s very difficult to see what’s coming from the west. It’s a good move.”

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