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Muscatine County supervisors authorize letter seeking flashing lights at dangerous rural intersections
Summary
After several recent serious crashes near Moscow Road, the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors voted 4–0 to authorize the chair to sign a letter requesting permission to install flashing lights on stop signs at select rural intersections and to press the Iowa DOT for action.
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors voted 4–0 on July 6 to authorize the chair to sign a letter requesting permission to install flashing lights on stop signs at several rural intersections following multiple recent personal‑injury crashes.
The Chair introduced the item and a Committee member who has been responding to collisions at the Highway 6–Moscow Road intersection described a string of serious crashes in recent weeks, including a collision involving a pickup pulling a gooseneck trailer and a semi. "It's becoming a weekly event," the Committee member said, adding, "we'll probably have another one there this week," as a reason to try low‑cost safety measures immediately.
Staff and board members said the county's authority is limited for some intersections and that Iowa Department of Transportation approval may be required for changes on state‑signed routes. One Committee member noted that residents seeking action are "not asking for you to fund it" but instead want permission to install flashing lights, and urged the board to press DOT for a timely decision.
Board members outlined options they have considered: temporary road embargoes (noted in discussion as allowable for counties for limited periods), increased signage, a 4‑way stop, roundabouts and turning lanes. Several members said physical constraints at the Highway 6–Moscow Road site — including bridge location and heavy commercial traffic that restricts turning — make large engineering changes difficult. The board discussed the high cost and complexity of roundabouts and the limited practical effect of some signage if drivers are already failing to obey stop signs.
After debate the board agreed to authorize the chair to sign the letter asking for permission to install flashing stop‑sign lights and to continue engaging with DOT and county staff. The motion carried unanimously.
What's next: the chair will sign the letter as authorized and staff indicated they will continue to follow up with DOT and report back if and when permit approvals or next steps are available.
