News : Tubular markers removed from \'Urbana 5\' intersection; project schedule unchanged

Area residents who have driven at the intersection of Highway 150 and 55th Street near Urbana have noticed that the tubes which served as lane guides for those stopping as they approach Highway 150 from the east have been removed. Iowa State Rep. Dawn Pettengill passed on the following explanation from the Iowa Department of Transportation: "The Iowa 150 tubular markers that were installed were intended as a temporary measure to “train” drivers of the new pavement marking. Apparently, they had always intended to remove them prior to winter season as they would likely not work well with snow plow operations (our plows would destroy them)." The tubes were installed after the DOT's evaluation of the intersection following the April accident which claimed the lives of five young people.

After passing on petitions signed by more than 1,500 area residents in late spring, Pettengill received the following report this summer from Iowa Department of Transportation legislative liaison Mikel Derby:

As a result of our findings, we have made the decision to implement short term safety measures identified on a long-term improvement, both of which are outlined below:

The short term improvement is as follows:

· Update “STOP AHEAD” sign on county road and add flags

· Add a “CROSS TRAFFIC DOES NOT STOP” plaque below the STOP sign and add a red flashing beacon above the STOP sign.

· Change the curve warning sign on Iowa 150 to reflect the intersection off the corner of the curve and add a flashing yellow beacon

· Paint an island and install tubular markers at the intersection, on the county road, to encourage traffic to enter Iowa 150 at closer to 90 degree angle.

· The DOT District 6 Office will be implementing these safety improvements. A specific date is not yet identified, but we anticipate the short term improvements will be in place by mid-summer.

Long-term intersection change scheduled for FY 2018

The long term improvement will be implemented and consists of removing the curve and constructing a 4-way intersection with turn lanes.

The project includes remove the curve, creating a typical four legged intersection between Iowa 150 and the county road, installing a left-turn lane on both of the east/west approaches to the intersection, STOP signs on the north/south approaches to the intersection.

The DOT is targeting construction of this intersection in FY 2018 and the cost estimate is $1,520,000.

"Fifteen hundred and twenty-seven people people from the Urbana/Vinton area asked for a change there and Urbana/Vinton residents will get some of their gas tax money back in the form of an improvement," said Pettengill when the DOT announced the changes.

Pettengill said this week that other than the removal of those tubular markings, the project and its schedule remains the same.

Click HERE to see the 7-page report from the Iowa DOT.