The interchange between Seventh Street SW and Highway 20 has proven to be very dangerous in recent year. Vehicles turning from Seventh Street SW onto Highway 20 are unable to see oncoming traffic in time to determine whether or not it is safe to turn. The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) addressed this concern by installing warning lights that flash when road sensors detect oncoming traffic, but soon after they were installed, a man was killed at the intersection.
In an attempt to find alternatives, the IDOT will be holding a public information meeting on Tuesday Aug. 3, at 4 p.m. in the Dyersville City Hall council chambers. IDOT personnel will be on hand to answer questions and informally discuss the alternatives for the interchange.
Also discussed were the sheriff's office's plans to make the RAGBRAI route as safe as possible. The sheriff's office has decided to close down part of Middle Road on July 31. The sheriff's office said this is due to Middle Road's lack of shoulders and steep ditches and ravines. The closed section will be between Sundown Road and Seippel Road. Residents will still have access to their homes, but through traffic will be required to seek alternate routes.
In other news, the board:
• Voted to send a request to the Dyersville Commercial/Cascade Pioneer to print a proposal request for engineering services for the Julien Care facility. The supervisors had previously requested this printing to adhere to Iowa law, but the the legal was omitted from publication.