Highway 34 traffic signals going active in conjunction with truck stop opening

Newly-installed traffic signal lights at the intersection of U.S. Highway 34 and 188th Street in western Mills County will be activated Thursday in conjunction with the planned opening of the Love’s Travel Stop and Country Store.

The traffic signals have been in flashing mode - yellow for Highway 34 traffic and red for 188th Street motorists – since late last week to familiarize motorists with the lights and pending changes to the intersection. Lighted message boards are also in place  on both east and westbound Highway 34 to inform motorists that the traffic lights will be activated Feb. 1.

“The lights are on in flashing mode. They (Iowa Department of Transportation) wanted to do that for a week so drivers would be aware of the lights,” Mills County Engineer Kevin Mayberry said. “They’re expected to become fully operational Feb. 1 and Love’s is scheduled to open Feb. 2. The DOT wanted the lights in place before the truck stop opened. ”

Mayberry said the traffic signals were funded by Love’s. Once operational, the Mills County Secondary Roads Department will be responsible for maintenance and management.

“There may be some tweaking involved in timing the lights,” Mayberry said.

The lights at Highway 34 and 188th Street are the first traffic signals in Mills County outside of Glenwood.  The city of Glenwood has three intersections with traffic signal lights.