“In 2023 and 2024 (through Sept. 18) we have had 623 vehicle crashes citywide,” said Capt. Chris Jones of MPD in an email to the T-R. “We have responded to two fatalities — one on Iowa Ave. and one on Lincoln Way, with 16 crashes involving serious injury.”

Jones said he used the Iowa Crash Analysis Tool (ICAT) to compile data at the request of the Times-Republican.

Key factors contributing to the South Center Street/Merle Hibbs intersection ranking first is that South Center Street is a primary Marshalltown thoroughfare, and it serves a dual role as Iowa Highway 14. Consequently, thousands of vehicles daily use the four-lane roadway. Additionally, the intersection offers convenient access to several active commercial businesses in the immediate area — Jensen Ford Lincoln and Wells-Fargo Bank are located to the west, while Wal-Mart is to the east.

The intersection of South Center Street and South Street was second with 11 collisions over the same time period, said Jones.

Looking northwest, northbound traffic is pictured at the intersection of South Center St. and Merle Hibbs Blvd. With 15 crashes between January of 2023 and September of 2024, it has been Marshalltown’s most dangerous intersection.

Tied for third with nine each over the same time period were the intersections at South Center Street and Southridge Road, South Center Street and High Street and South Center Street and Anson Street

In fourth place with eight each were North Third Avenue and East Main Street, North Third Avenue and Marion Street, and South Center Street and Olive Street.

Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer said the city alleviated major traffic congestion at North Third Avenue and Marion Street by improving and extending Edgewood Street.

For years, southbound semis transporting hogs — also on Iowa Highway 14 — to JBS had to turn left on Marion Street and wait for northbound traffic to clear the intersection, he said.

“And semis could not make a right turn from Marion St. onto North Third Ave. to proceed south. Now the semis can turn much more easily on Edgewood,” Greer said.

In fifth place — tied with seven collisions each — were the intersections at South Center Street and Iowa Avenue and South Center Street and Church Street.

“The MPD recommends extra vigilance at all of those intersections listed, especially with school activities in the evening and the days becoming shorter,” Jones said.