Decorah council opts to set downtown signals to flashing red for construction season; staff to monitor Mechanic Street

Council members discussed multiple options for the damaged traffic controller and downtown signalization: replace the damaged controller (estimated cost ~$20,000), install stop signs to create three-way or all-way stops at key intersections, or set Water Street intersections to flashing red so every intersection functions as a four-way stop during the construction season.

Concerns raised included pedestrian safety at the Court & Water intersection (red-brick crosswalks cause confusion), driver impatience and inconsistent control patterns, potential queuing on Mechanic Street if lanes are altered, and the tradeoffs between motorist delay and safer pedestrian crossings. A project manager from Wix Construction (Dave Clark) had suggested flashing red lights as a consistency measure.

Following extended discussion, the council reached consensus to instruct staff to set the Water Street corridor signals to flashing red for the construction season, while leaving the Mechanic Street intersection under closer review and giving staff discretion to reinstate full signal operation at Mechanic if queuing or safety concerns arise. The council also discussed options such as lane restrictions and temporary physical devices to funnel traffic where necessary.

No immediate appropriation to replace the damaged controller was approved at the meeting; staff will implement the flashing-red configuration and monitor traffic impacts, with a return to council if significant issues appear.