Residents voice opposition to proposed DOT three lane conversion

Discussion of a DOT-suggested three lane conversion in Grundy Center has sparked conversation amongst citizens - with many saying that a three lane roadway would not solve speeding issues in Grundy Center, and could even create more problems than it solves.
 
It all kicked off at last week’s Grundy Center City Council meeting, when council members reviewed a recent TEAP (Traffic Engineering Assistance Program) study conducted by the DOT to address the issue of speeding on G Ave. Council members directed Police Chief Doug Frost to commission the study from the DOT over a year ago to find possible solutions for the speeding problem on Grundy Center’s main street.
 
When the city got the results of the survey back, the DOT suggested not to lower the speed limit or add more stop signs, but to convert G Avenue/Highway 175 from a four lane road into a three lane road, starting at the west edge of town and spanning to the Highway 14 intersection. In the recommendation, the DOT stated that the conversion would be mostly covered by safety funding, and the city would be responsible for minimal costs, including the non-traveled section of the road such as parking areas along G Ave. in the downtown area.
 
The DOT report stated that a three lane conversion would improve safety of drivers and pedestrians compared to a four lane road, and noted that a three lane conversion has been shown to reduce crashes by up to 50 percent.
 
Strong objections
After council members discussed the recommendation from the DOT at last week’s meeting, The Grundy Register detailed the discussion in a story that ran on January 24th. When that story was posted online through the Grundy Register’s Facebook page, citizens came out to voice their opinions on the topic - with the vast majority of their comments opposing a conversion.
 
One commenter was Gary Ciddio - a resident of Grundy Center who has lived on G Ave. for over a decade - who said he thinks the DOT’s suggestion of a conversion is a bad idea.
 
For the full story, see this week's Grundy Register. Subscribe by calling (319) 824-6958 or clicking here. 

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