Johnston Council Looks at Ways to Unsnarl Rush-Hour Traffic

Congested rush-hour traffic at the intersection of Northwest 100th Street and Northwest 70th Avenue may run smoother if the Johnston City Council OKs a temporary traffic signal at the site.

On Monday, the council discussed the use of a $35,000 temporary traffic signal at the intersection.

In 2009, a permanent signal was planned for the intersection due to the development that was planned along Northwest 100th Street north of the intersection — the Crosshaven subdivision and the 's purchase of property for an elementary school.

Since that time, the district has postponed building an elementary school on the land and development has been slower than anticipated.

In the spring of 2010, a city traffic study of the area determined the intersection did not warrant installation of a signal.

The city plans to widen Northwest 70th Avenue in 2014-15. If signals are installed before the road work, they may have to be removed or reconfigured when the improvements are done.

Bill Mahanna collected 42 signatures urging the installation of the temporary traffic light.

"I agree there maybe isn't quite the traffic today, but I drive that every morning and I have a son 16 years old that drives that," Mahanna said. "Trying to cross to get to (Middle School) and (Elementary School) is very difficult and I've seen a number of close calls."

Mahanna said he'd rather circumvent the situation rather than see someone get hurt. He also believes that a signal will attract even more traffic to the area.

"If we put a light there we would get people from Silverstone and North Pointe that would come down and around to cross," he said. "It's difficult from 107th even right now."

Dave Cubit, public works director, said the temporary signal would cost about $35,000 for installation and first year of use. Each year after would cost about $1,800.

The signal would be installed with a device that will stop traffic on Northwest 70th when someone approaches the intersection at 100th Street in order to keep traffic flowing, Cubit said.

City staff was instructed to determine how money would be found to pay for the temporary signal. The council will discuss the signal at a future meeting.