Local News

Crash stats spark 175/169 four-way stop plan

Intersection near Harcourt targeted for traffic control change

HARCOURT -- A four-way stop is going to be installed at the intersection of Iowa Highway 175 and U.S. Highway 169 near Harcourt, according to Gary Kretlow, traffic technician for the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Kretlow along with Allison Smyth, a staff engineer for the Iowa Department of Transportation, shared the plan at Harcourt's City Council meeting Thursday.

The intent is to have the stop signs put in by the fall of 2017, Kretlow said.

Northbound and southbound traffic already stops at that intersection.

"We are proposing to make that a four-way stop altogether at that intersection," Kretlow said. "We would like to stop 175 traffic."

"There have been enough crashes at that intersection that we want to look at doing something, rather than just leaving it the way it is right now," Kretlow added.

According to DOT records, 17 accidents have been reported at that intersection throughout the past 10 years.

No fatalities were reported at the intersection during that time period, although council members recalled at least one there in years past.

The idea to add the four-way stop was in response to concern voiced from the public.

"We had some people who called the DOT and asked us to take a look at 175 for speeds," Kretlow said. "It turned into us looking at the whole intersection of 169 and 175."

Mayor Grant Gibbons believes the addition will be beneficial.

"You're blind when you turn left there," Gibbons said. "That road has just enough lift that you can't see those cars coming east on 175."

Gibbons asked if there were any plans to reduce speed in that area.

Kretlow said reducing speeds isn't likely to occur, at least right away.

"The one thing we don't want to do is post 45 and have no one actually do it," Kretlow said.

One speed study conducted by the DOT found that traffic moved faster west to U.S. Highway 169 than east.

Kretlow said he would request another speed study be conducted in the area of the intersection.

That study does not affect the plans to install the four-way stop, he said.

Other options for the intersection were considered, but would be too costly, according to Kretlow.

"We talked about a full intersection redesign, but the money wouldn't be there soon enough," Kretlow said.

Flashing beacons as well as rumble strips will also be added to Iowa Highway 175.

Councilman Matt Fors expressed concern about the noise the strips would create.

Fors reported that he lives near the intersection.

"That's why I was advocating for slower speeds in that area," Fors said. "Semis using the Jake brake to slow down, I don't think we will appreciate that very much. Hitting that Jake brake or rumble strip 800 feet from my house it's going to be noticeable."

Councilman Scott Engquist supported the plans.

"My opinion is the four-way stop is going to improve safety," he said. "I don't have an answer for the rumble strips."

Gibbons didn't have a problem with the rumble strips.

"The rumble strips can be heard, but that's just kind of what you get for living by the highway," Gibbons said. "I know you're (Fors) closer than I am, but I don't hear them."

Kretlow said the rumble strips may not be put in at the same time the stop signs are.

"Not putting them in right now isn't going to address the noise factor for people who live on that side of town," Fors said.

Robert Barnett, of Harcourt, was also at the meeting.

He said adding more rumble strips won't make a difference.

"We already have rumble strips coming the north and the south," Barnett said. "We already have them."

Fors said the new rumble strips would be much closer to his house.

"These rumble strips will be less than an eighth of a mile from where we live on the north side of town," Fors said.

"That's all they are from my place," Barnett said. "I am as close as you're gonna' be."