Cedar Rapids appeals rejection of I-380 traffic cameras

CEDAR RAPIDS — Four traffic cameras on Interstate 380 that catch speeding cars must all work together to safeguard the 2 miles that traffic crosses the downtown S-curve, the city of Cedar Rapids says in an appeal of the state’s decision to shut half of them down.

Under a new state law, Cedar Rapids — like other municipalities that operate traffic speed cameras — had to apply earlier this year to the Iowa Department of Transportation to continue using its 13 fixed camera locations. But the Iowa DOT approved only 11 fixed sites across the state — and just four for Cedar Rapids, including only two on the S-curve.

The city had four speed cameras stationed along the S-curve — one facing in each direction at either end of the curve. Only the two cameras facing motorists entering the curve were approved. Two monitoring speeds of cars leaving the S-curve were denied.

The Iowa DOT denied the two cameras as being “not necessary.” But the city said in its appeal by Police Chief David Dostal that they are “appropriate, necessary, and the least restrictive means for changing driver behavior.”

“All four systems have proved to be the most effective at controlling speed for the two miles vehicles are in the S-curve when used in conjunction with each other,” the appeal states. “The paired locations of I-380 Northbound and Southbound ensure that drivers enter the S-curve at a safe speed and maintain that speed throughout the curved and elevated structure where traditional enforcement of traffic laws is not safe for either officers or the public.”

Although the rejected cameras are no longer issuing speeding citations, the city has continued to use them to collect data — some of which was presented in the appeal.

In the last week before the cameras were denied, from Sept. 23 to Sept. 30, 2,755 cars were found speeding more than 10 mph over the 55 mph speed limit by the two rejected cameras. In the week after the cameras stopped issuing citations, between Oct. 1 and Oct. 8, 3,438 cars were seen speeding more than 10 mph over the limit — almost a 25 percent increase.

Cedar Rapids submitted the appeal Oct. 18, and the Iowa DOT must respond within 30 days. The department director’s decision on the appeal will be final. Cedar Rapids did not ask in this appeal for other speed cameras also denied be reconsidered.

Under the new law, traffic cameras still are allowed to issue citations for red-light running — but not for speeding. In Cedar Rapids, the S-curve cameras measured speed only. But the nine other locations also issue red-light tickets. Only two of those other locations — one facing north and one facing south at the intersection of Williams Boulevard and 16th Avenue SW — were approved to continue for speeding.

The city’s budget for fiscal 2025, which began in July, includes $7.21 million in traffic camera revenue — $5.48 million of which is being used to pay for 41 police officer positions. The other $1.73 million was going toward service provider and collection costs, according to the city’s end of year report for 2023.

Two other municipalities that had cameras rejected — Lee County and the city of Waterloo — have also submitted appeals, according to the Iowa DOT, and more appeal requests are in the works.

The Marion Police Department is drafting an appeal for its two fixed cameras locations, which were denied, and for two of the locations for its mobile camera unit.

The cameras at the two fixed locations that were denied in Marion — at the intersections of Highway 13 and Highway 151, and Highway 100 and East Post Road — were briefly turned off while the city adjusted signage to adhere to the new law. But there were turned back on for red light enforcement only starting Sunday.

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