Supervisors discuss noise from rumble strip

VINTON — The Benton County Board of Supervisors discussed rumble strip panels at the intersection of the Van Horne Road and Highway 30 after a resident asked the county engineer about them.

County Engineer Myron Parizek said he was asked if the county was going to fill in the rumble strip panel near the residence of June Folkmann. He said the rumble panel was installed by the Highway 30 contractor.

Parizek said he told the Iowa Department of Transportation to put the strips in because someone was killed at that intersection a few years ago. Two of the three county supervisors strongly favored putting the strips at that intersection, he said.

Supervisor Tracy Seeman voted against it. He told Seeman he was following what he understood to be the direction from the board.

At the time of the safety meeting, there were strips only south of the highway. At the time of the fatal accident there were no strips.

The intersection is now four lanes. It was a two-lane road when the fatal crash occurred, said Parizek.

Is the four-lane going to change things? He said time will tell.

Supervisor Chairman Richard Primmer asked about relocating the panel. Parizek said the DOT has a standard for location of the panels.

Parizek said there are two panels now where there used to be three.

The first panel is in advance of the “stop ahead” sign. The second panel is between the stop sign and “stop ahead” sign. The standard is to place the panel at the 70% mark between the “stop ahead” sign and the stop sign.

A safety study suggested that rumble strips reduce accidents, but there is a residence that is close and the noise impacts the residents there, said Parizek. They are asking for reconsideration.

Primmer asked about moving the strips closer to the stop sign to alleviate the noise. Parizek said there is a concern about stopping in time if the strip is closer to the stop sign.

Primmer said there are several intersections where this is a safety concern. He understood the Folkmann’s concern, but he didn’t think the county could take the strips completely out.

Seeman suggested sign posts with amber lights on the west side of the road. Seeman also suggested filling in the strips.

Parizek said there have been 38 traffic accidents at the intersection 2014 and 2023. Five of them were major.

All of the accidents occurred before Highway 30 became four lanes.

Parizek said the county could put solar lighting at the intersection. This lighting would work even in storms.

Lighting at the intersection would have to be paid for by the county, but it would need DOT approval, Parizek said. He also talked about the difference between intersection lighting and destination lighting.

Supervisors asked Parizek to talk with the DOT about using red lights, destination lights or amber warning signs.

Sheriff Ron Tippett said he liked the idea of lights and warning signs. The county needs to error on the side of caution, but it also needs to accommodate the people who live near the intersection, he said.

Breeder’s license

Benton Assistant County Attorney Derek Marsh met with the board regarding a game breeder’s license for Jalen Schmuecker.

Marsh said the office received a complaint regarding someone who had a fox farm outside town and didn’t have the right license.

Marsh said Schmuecker was able to get the correct license, a breeder’s license, and is now in compliance with Iowa Law.