Cottage Grove-East Post stop signs to remain

CEDAR RAPIDS - The stop signs for traffic on East Post Road at Cottage Grove Parkway SE will remain up, and flashing overhead lights will be installed as early as this week.

Before the Linn County Board of Supervisors voted last week to retain the signs - erected last summer while the nearby bridge over Indian Creek was replaced - neighbors warned them against further improvements at the intersection. The bridge was a Cedar Rapids project, but the intersection is in the county.

“We just don't want to see that road expanded,” said attorney Brian Fagan, appearing on behalf of nearby residents Jacque and Dennis Holloway.

The neighbors aren't crazy about the flashing overhead lights, but they're mostly concerned about potential expansion of right-turn lanes on and off East Post Road. The present lanes are little more than paved sections of shoulder - “a poor man's right turn lane,” according to County Engineer Steve Gannon.

Gannon plans to resurface the intersection, now asphalt, with concrete this summer. He said that job also could include reworking the corner's angles to further slow drivers.

“We're not looking at taking down any trees,” said Supervisor Linda Langston, who added she's had “at least 15 calls” from neighbors who like the now-permanent three-way stop.

Sara Riley said she and at least one other neighbor would prefer another traffic camera at the intersection, rather than the flashing lights.

“That would be wonderful,” she said. “You'd have the effect of slowing people down without stopping them, and you'd make the county some money.”