In an effort to prevent auto accidents, stoplights will be installed next spring on the off-ramps at the Elwood Drive exit from U.S. Highway 30.

Although an increase in accidents was not the reason for the project, Scott Logan, city traffic engineer, said more accidents will happen if nothing is done.

“Elwood Drive is getting busier all the time with the development to the south,” Logan said. He said the ISU Research Park and housing developments will continue to draw more traffic.

Ann Campbell, Ames City Council member, said she also has seen problems at the intersection, particularly at times during the day with heavy traffic.

“I think there is difficulty cutting across traffic there,” Campbell said.

Currently, the delay at the intersection during the busiest part of the day, 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., is 70 to 80 seconds, Logan said. This projected delay with stoplights will be 30 seconds. Logan said regulations from the Federal Highway Administration determine how much traffic warrants certain control at specific locations.

Logan said the total cost for the project, which will happen sometime in the spring, is projected at $113,000.

Federal funds will cover about $60,000 of the cost, with the city’s road-use tax fund and the Iowa Department of Transportation supplying the rest, he said.