City Council and IDOT Propose To Remove Traffic Control Lights

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council is proposing to remove the traffic signal lights located at the intersections of Central Avenue and 1st Street North, as well as Plymouth Street and 1st Avenue West. The current traffic signal controllers were purchased in 1991 and replacement parts have been unavailable
since 2007. The traffic signals are currently in need of LED lights and eventually new controllers will cost the city approximately $24,000 per intersection. City officials have had conversations with Iowa Department of Transportation representatives, and the Iowa Department of Transportation is in favor of removing the traffic signals and making Highway 3, or Plymouth Street, a
through street without any stop signs or other traffic controls within the downtown area.   There are no plans to remove the stop light at the Plymouth Street and Central Avenue intersection.  The Iowa D-O-T also is against using four-way stop signs. However, what is being proposed is that  Central Avenue north and south bound traffic would not utilize a stop sign at the 1st Street North downtown intersection, but 1st Street North would require motorists to stop at a stop sign.  Similar action would also take place at the Plymouth Street and 1st Avenue West intersection. Highway 3 would not need to stop, but the north and south bound traffic would stop for a stop sign to be placed at the corner. The council approved the measure on a 4 to 0 vote with the stipulation
that the city’s Public Safety Committee first study the proposal and report back to the council with its recommendations. Councilman Steve Wick, who is a member of the Public Safety Committee, was absent from the council meeting.

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Traffic control lights located at Central Avenue and 1st Street North.

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Traffic signal lights located at Plymouth St (Highway 3) and 1st Avenue West.