At the 9-13 Shenandoah City Council the Iowa Department of Transportation unveiled plans to increase a third lane for traffic northbound turning into the Walmart construction sight. Plans are moving ahead and the equipment is running.
This segment of the meeting turned lengthy as it led into discussion of dangerous traffic on Highway 59 especially due to the Interstate 29 closure. The Iowa DOT admitted that they haven't done a traffic count along 59 since probably 2008. Shenandoah Police Chief announced that traffic has increased three-fold since the detour took affect. The DOT may utilize resources to check the traffic count north and southbound on 59, but they are firm that the third lane will be built.
A suggestion came up during the meeting that we need to investigate into the possibility of installing traffic cameras in a couple locations on Highway 59 within the Shenandoah city limits. Though becoming unpopular in places such as California these cameras may benefit the cause of safety for the effected stretch of road.
I am for this idea of traffic cameras. The pressures on truck drivers is understandable. They are squeezed for time on an already tight schedule. The detour doesn't help any. However, safety must and should always prevail especially within city limits. I don't mean to focus on truck drivers but rather local resident drivers as well. This matters to not only fellow drivers but also to the safety of pedestrians. There are a great many Shenandoah residents who's occupation is located at Orchard Corners or the several businesses along Highway 59. Walking this stretch of road is extremely dangerous and hazardous.
The entire stretch of road is a disaster waiting to happen. In order to control the situation steps must be taken to tone down the speed and and level of aggressive driving currently taking place. It's not just "through" traffic. Because of the detour many of the businesses have prospered under single to double digit percentage increase in business. We've got through traffic as well as increased traffic turning onto 59 that must be considered.
All our fears up to this point have been aimed at the recent history of the detour affects. Now compound on that the fact that we are fast approaching the snow and ice season.
I advocate an extra stoplight at the intersection of 59 and the south entrance to Orchard Corners and/or the installation of traffic cameras both there and also at the current stoplight by Mondo's. I'd strongly suggest that from now into the foreseeable future and beyond we all take extra care in our surroundings while driving the new "Interstate 59."
This segment of the meeting turned lengthy as it led into discussion of dangerous traffic on Highway 59 especially due to the Interstate 29 closure. The Iowa DOT admitted that they haven't done a traffic count along 59 since probably 2008. Shenandoah Police Chief announced that traffic has increased three-fold since the detour took affect. The DOT may utilize resources to check the traffic count north and southbound on 59, but they are firm that the third lane will be built.
A suggestion came up during the meeting that we need to investigate into the possibility of installing traffic cameras in a couple locations on Highway 59 within the Shenandoah city limits. Though becoming unpopular in places such as California these cameras may benefit the cause of safety for the effected stretch of road.
I am for this idea of traffic cameras. The pressures on truck drivers is understandable. They are squeezed for time on an already tight schedule. The detour doesn't help any. However, safety must and should always prevail especially within city limits. I don't mean to focus on truck drivers but rather local resident drivers as well. This matters to not only fellow drivers but also to the safety of pedestrians. There are a great many Shenandoah residents who's occupation is located at Orchard Corners or the several businesses along Highway 59. Walking this stretch of road is extremely dangerous and hazardous.
The entire stretch of road is a disaster waiting to happen. In order to control the situation steps must be taken to tone down the speed and and level of aggressive driving currently taking place. It's not just "through" traffic. Because of the detour many of the businesses have prospered under single to double digit percentage increase in business. We've got through traffic as well as increased traffic turning onto 59 that must be considered.
All our fears up to this point have been aimed at the recent history of the detour affects. Now compound on that the fact that we are fast approaching the snow and ice season.
I advocate an extra stoplight at the intersection of 59 and the south entrance to Orchard Corners and/or the installation of traffic cameras both there and also at the current stoplight by Mondo's. I'd strongly suggest that from now into the foreseeable future and beyond we all take extra care in our surroundings while driving the new "Interstate 59."
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