Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves stop signs on three West Second corners, changes East Fourth and Fairview to yield after debate
Summary
After questioning from council members and residents, the Muscatine City Council approved stop signs at three West Second intersections and amended the plan to place a yield sign at East Fourth and Fairview Avenue based on traffic-committee recommendations and sight-distance guidance.
The Muscatine City Council voted July 17 to install traffic control at four intersections: stop signs at West Second & Lynn, West Second & Spruce and West Second & Locust, and a yield sign at East Fourth & Fairview Avenue. The council adopted the measure as amended following discussion about the traffic committee process and sight-distance standards.
Council members and residents testified that some neighbors had not been notified directly and questioned traffic data and the process used to select intersections. "I was surprised by this agenda item when it came up," said a council member during the debate, noting several residents reported no prior notice. Traffic staff said committee recommendations incorporate complaints from motorists across the city and reports from officers who have observed near misses.
City staff noted that if the council preferred not to install a stop sign at East Fourth and Fairview, staff could install a yield sign without council permission; council members moved to amend the item to make East Fourth and Fairview a yield-controlled intersection. Traffic engineering testimony referenced the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and sight-distance criteria as the rationale for stop signs at the three West Second crossings, noting reduced sight lines at those locations.
Council member Lewis moved the amended motion to approve the signs; Council member Gordon seconded. After the amendment to change East Fourth & Fairview to a yield sign passed on a separate voice vote, the final motion passed with six ayes and one nay.
The council also directed staff to provide additional information about the traffic committee process and traffic counts when similar items come forward in the future. No schedule or installation timeline was specified at the meeting.
