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County engineer flags cost to replace 55 mph signs if state raises secondary road speed limits
Summary
Cathy Nicholas, Black Hawk County engineer, said Senate File 73 would increase many secondary road speed limits from 55 to 60 mph and estimated replacing about 65 signs would cost roughly $8,500; the board was asked whether to support post-legislative signage-change costs.
Black Hawk County Engineer Cathy Nicholas briefed the Board of Supervisors on April 1 about local road conditions and a pending legislative proposal that could raise many secondary road speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph.
Nicholas said roads are in good shape as spring begins; the county is starting culvert replacements and a mile-rack resurfacing project in the south-central portion of the county. She told the board she had provided cost data to the Iowa County Engineers Association regarding Senate File 73, which would permit increasing posted speeds on many secondary roads.
Nicholas estimated the cost to replace about 65 existing 55-mph signs (to match any new 60-mph standard using county signage) at roughly $8,500. She told the board that simply adding stickers to existing signs would not be preferred and that matching the county's existing signing would likely require replacement.
Why it matters: If state law changes posted speed limits, counties may face immediate signage costs and operational work to ensure signs conform to the new statutory standard.
Additional points from the engineer's report: - County dust-control vendor lists have been published for residents wishing to order roadside dust control for the season. - Culvert replacement work is starting on a road scheduled for resurfacing next year.
Ending: Nicholas offered to answer questions and asked supervisors to consider the cost implications should the legislature adopt higher secondary-road speed limits.
