Highway 92 signals get green light; re-striping hits red

WASHINGTON — Those driving through Washington should watch for changes this week.

Despite delays to Washington’s long-planned reconfiguration of Iowa Highway 92 (East Washington Street), the new traffic signals at the intersection of East Washington Street and South 12th Avenue will switch on Thursday, Nov. 20.

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The intersection upgrade includes a full stoplight system and new marked crosswalks on both East Washington and South 12th. In an announcement, the Washington Police Department said the added signal is designed to make the intersection safer and improve traffic flow, and urged drivers to take an extra moment to pay attention to the new signals and drive with care. The department also reminded motorists to watch for and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks.

The signal is part of a broader project to convert the four-lane stretch of Iowa 92 (East Washington Street) through Washington into a three-lane configuration, with one lane in each direction and a center turn lane.

A delay arose with this project after the contractor notified the city late last week that the project had passed the Iowa Department of Transportation’s required weather window for applying required specialized pavement markings.

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The DOT specifications mandate using a particular paint and application process that cannot occur after Oct. 22 in this climate, City Administrator Joe Gaa told the council. This means the three-lane conversion must wait until conditions meet those standards again in spring 2026.

According to Gaa, crews had nearly finished the pavement widening at 12th Avenue and the signals had been ready to turn on for some time.

Despite the set back on turning Highway 92 into a three-lane, Washington Council Members responded to Gaa’s update with support of putting the existing, installed traffic lights to use in the meantime.

The expressed hope is that these lights help ease congestion and improve safety at the busy intersection even before the restriping occurs.

The stoplight has been years in the making. The council previously accepted a bid for the long-awaited signal installation as part of a package of safety improvements on East Washington Street. The three-lane conversion plan, approved in 2023, followed Iowa DOT research showing that similar “road diet” projects on four-lane corridors can significantly reduce crashes while maintaining traffic capacity.

Local officials and law enforcement have framed the changes as a safety investment for drivers and pedestrians alike. The Washington Police Department said it appreciates residents “doing their part to keep our community safe on the road” as motorists adjust to the new stoplight and as the city works toward the eventual three-lane configuration.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com