Speed limit changes near Rock Valley and Sioux Center would extend or create 45-mile-per-hour zones to give drivers more gradual transitions between lower and higher speeds.
Sioux County supervisors approved the changes November 10th. County Engineer Joel Sikkema says the Sioux Center change can proceed, while the Rock Valley change also requires approval from that city’s council.
Sikkema says intermediate speed zones help drivers adjust as they enter or leave areas near cities.
“That helps to make the increases and decreases in speed more gradual, which helps to improve safety when folks are changing speeds.”
Rock Valley Zone Would Extend South
South of Rock Valley, the change would extend an existing 45-mph zone on Elmwood Avenue, also known as K-30.
“What it is really is there’s already a short 45-mile-an-hour speed zone, and we’re taking that 45-mile-an-hour speed zone and extending it further south to 320th Street.”
Sikkema says the speed limit south of 320th Street is 60 mph. He says housing development on the southeast side of Rock Valley also contributed to the decision to extend the lower-speed zone.
New Zone West of Sioux Center
On 400th Street, also known as B-44, west of Sioux Center, a new 45-mph zone would provide a transition between existing 35-mph and 60-mph limits.
Sikkema says several residences are relatively close to the south side of the road, which also made the adjustment appropriate.
Signs Expected in Coming Weeks
Sikkema says crews plan to install signs over the next few weeks, depending on their schedule. He expects the changes to be in place by the end of the year, but says the Rock Valley location involves an additional approval.
“The Rock Valley one. That one also needs to be approved by the City Council there. And so once that approval happens, we’ll put up that one. It’s an area where we have joint jurisdiction.”
The Sioux Center location is outside city limits, so Sikkema says that change can proceed without an additional City Council vote.
