The ever-changing face of downtown Cedar Rapids will continue to change in the next several years as the city is now in the process of removing a dozen stoplights in the area, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, as part of turning one-way streets into two-ways. You've probably heard a thing or two about that over the years, and now you'll start seeing it in action more often.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
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Eight stoplights will be removed this year alone, and some already have been. Here are the stoplights planned for eventual removal, including a few that came down already in the past few years.

  • Second Avenue SE (in 2017)
  • Second Street SE (Second Avenue becomes a through-street and will not stop for cross traffic)
  • Third Street SE (Third Street becomes a through-street and will not stop for cross traffic)
  • Fifth Street SE (Fifth Street becomes a through-street and will not stop for cross traffic)
  • Seventh Street SE (Seventh Street becomes a through-street and will not stop for cross traffic)
  • Eighth Street SE (Eighth Street becomes a through-street and will not stop for cross traffic)
  • 13th Street SE (intersection to operate as a four-way stop)
  • First Street SW in 2017
  • Second Avenue SW (intersection to operate as a four-way stop)
  • Third Avenue SW (intersection to operate as a four-way stop
  • Third Avenue SE in 2018
  • Third Street SE (intersection to operate as a four-way stop)
  • Fifth Street SE (Third Avenue becomes through-street)

Why the change? Because, as stated above by Cedar Rapids traffic engineer Matt Myers, changes in traffic flow don't justify keeping them. Many were being taken down temporarily for maintenance, and keeping them down will save money.

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
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Updates would cost $200,000 per intersection and about $10,000 a year for annual maintenance.

More challenging for pedestrians?

Myers says that "removing the signals will "improve traffic flow, support the vibrancy of the downtown by making it more user-friendly for cyclists and pedestrians, and enhance aesthetics. Reducing travel lanes will help calm traffic, making the downtown safer and better balanced for the different uses." But without the timing and safety of a traffic light to rely on, some worry it will be more difficult to cross streets for pedestrians.

No more "waiting for nothing"

It will take up to four years to remove all the aforementioned stoplights, so users may have time to get used to it but it still sounds overwhelming to some. "I'm afraid there's going to be a lot of car crashes", said Balloons, Etc. owner Jacob "Sparkles" Cowger.

Others see the benefits. Ever been stopped at a light when there was zero traffic in any direction? Stoplight removals will alleviate that, according to officials.

Closeup of a traffic light by night in Israel. Red light.
N Rotteveel
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What are your concerns about the city making this change? Let us know below in the comments.

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