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County engineer to bring resolution as Iowa speed-limit changes prompt county-wide study
Summary
Following a recent state speed-limit change, Jackson County's engineer said he will prepare a resolution listing affected roads and conduct engineering studies (site-distance and ball-bank tests) to determine whether specific county roads can be raised to 60 mph. Board members raised cost and safety concerns around signage, pavement marking and passing-zone changes.
Jackson County's county engineer told the board on July 21 that he will prepare a resolution to identify roads affected by a recent change in state speed-limit law and that the county will perform engineering analyses before making final changes.
"But, ultimately, we I will bring a resolution forward here," the engineer said, describing a two-step approach: publish a county resolution listing candidate roads, then evaluate each road with engineering tools including site-distance assessments and a ball-bank indicator for curves. He recommended coordinating with neighboring counties and the Iowa DOT to share equipment and studies. The engineer and board discussed likely costs: new signage, repainting no-passing and passing-zone pavement markings, possible chevrons and guardrail changes, and timing to tie changes to annual restriping cycles.
Board members noted the sheriff's office had posted that current posted speeds remain the law until signs are changed and stressed public awareness and coordination with DOT resurfacing schedules. The engineer said he expects to bring a draft resolution to the board within weeks and to begin data collection in late fall or early winter when staff time is available.
