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DAILY NEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 • WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Traffic signals in downtown poised for redesign
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By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News
xisting traffic signals along First Avenue in the downtown area will get a redesign. Newton City Council approved Shive-Hattery Architecture and Engineering firm on Monday to create a design to upgrade the signals and look at adding left turn lanes to various intersections. “I hear it from constituents but I also hear it from the business community where people are struggling to get in and out of their businesses because of the lights and the timing,” councilwoman Miranda Kulis said. The seven traffic signals along First Avenue from West Fourth Street to East Fourth Street are 34-years-old and in recent years, it has come to the attention of the city they are in need of replacement. Due to the age of the electronics and controllers city administrator Matt Muckler said the signal timing is often inconsistent resulting in motorists stopping several times along First Avenue. Also, repair parts have become difficult to acquire to fix any issues with the signals. “A newer traffic signal system can provide better traffic flow through the downtown while maintaining pedestrian safety,” Muckler said. To begin the work, the city contacted Shive-Hattery to design a new traffic signal system. The design firm was determined to be a consultant with the expertise to perform the task and an agreement for $91,500 to obtain their services was approved. The fee will be paid for using a $95,000 allocation in the 2017-2018 budget from the road-use tax funds. The scope of services provided by Shive-Hattery include a review of existing documentation for each intersection and performing a site visit to inspect all intersection ramps. Based on the results of the inspection, an amendment will be prepared to include roadway design of ramps, detectable warnings, and other elements. The firm will perform a field survey of First Avenue intersections with West Second Street and First Street to assess the addition of turn lanes and prepare a traffic analysis for those intersection, with current year data only, with and without improvements. The new signal phas-
ing, timings and offsets will be calculated for these two intersections and extended to the other intersections in the study area. To prepare for construction, documents detailing traffic signal updates for each intersection will include replacing signal controllers, replacing conflict monitors, replacing signal cabinets, installing battery backup at each intersection, upgrading pedestrian signals to comply with the MUTCD 2009 and ADA, installing pedestrian push-buttons, installing video detection on all intersection cross-streets, installing a wireless interconnect system and moving the master signal con-
troller to the intersection of First Avenue and West Fourth Street. An engineer’s opinion of construction costs for the proposed improvements will be developed and the firm will then attend two meetings with the city to begin discussions. “This does happen to be a topic that I hear often from citizens,” councilwoman Evelyn George said. “Being able to address that with the age of the lights is good and also adding some turning lanes will make a big difference in terms of traffic flow downtown.”
contributions to the war. Jasper County manufacturing, which was thriving during the war, is particularly fitting for this angle. “Newton was known as the industrial center of the Midwest at that time, not just Iowa, but of the Midwest,” Barthelman said. “We had the industry here to do parts for the war.” Maytag Corporation produced tons of parts for the Allies, including engine blocks and redesigned hydraulic cylinders. The Vernon Company and Newton Manufacturing Company also made significant contributions to the effort. Jasper County’s agricultural role during the war was also immense. During World War II, central Iowa possessed 25 percent of grade-A farmland in the country, EXHIBIT | 3A
Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com
Justin Jagler/Daily News Jasper County Historical Museum Executive Director Ken Barthelman talks about the military, industry and agriculture contributions local companies and citizens made during World War II.
By Justin Jagler Newton Daily News
BRANSTAD | 3A
VETERANS | 3A
Justin Jagler/Daily News Keith Thorpe, left, and Jerry Nelson, right, look over a quarterly report at Wednesday’s Jasper County Commission of Veterans Affairs meeting.
FEATURE
WHERE IT’S AT
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‘Greatest Generation Day’ proclamation expected in April
Jasper County Veterans Affairs Office brings in part-time volunteer A new, part-time volunteer will be joining the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Office, following the approval of county commissioners at Wednesday afternoon’s meeting. Veterans Affairs Director Kurt Jackson recommended John Prater for the non-paid position. Prater will assist with paperwork, answering phones and other clerical work as needed. He will join the full-time Jackson
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Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News To address the age and inconsistency of the downtown traffic signals, city council approved Shive-Hattery engineering firm to conduct a study and redesign to better serve travelers.
Gov. Terry Branstad will appear at the Newton YMCA for a special book signing from noon until 1:30 p.m. April 13, and Newton resident Mike Chapman will be with him. Chapman is the author of the book “Iowa’s Record-Setting Governor: The Terry Branstad Story,” which was published in December of 2015. The book is 234 pages long with more than 50 photos, covering the governor’s life from growing up on a farm Branstad near tiny Leland, to attending high school in Forest City and then on to the University of Iowa and Drake law school. The book details his career as a politician, up
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County museum to open new World War II exhibit
The final pieces are coming together for the Jasper County Historical Museum’s World War II exhibit, which will open to the public at the end of April. Museum Executive Director Ken Barthelman wants to make the exhibit’s debut a community event. He is pushing to make April 30 “Greatest Generation Day” in Newton and Jasper County with an official proclamation. The city and county are expected to approve the proclamation later this month, according to Barthelman. The museum’s tribute is unique because it encompasses military, industry and agriculture
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By Justin Jagler Newton Daily News
Gov. Branstad in Newton on April 13 for book signing
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