If you have an opinion about the city’s plan to convert First Avenue from four lanes to three, then you should express yourself at an open house on the project Thursday, May 23, from 5-7 p.m. at La Poste at 1219 Warford St.
There will be ample opportunity to share your thoughts and concerns and ideas and opinions about the project and speak with representatives from the city of Perry, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT)and Bolton and Menk Engineering.
The Iowa Highway 144/First Avenue four-to-three-lane conversion project was initiated by the city of Perry and the Iowa DOT and has been the subject of several reports in ThePerryNews.com.
This project takes in all of First Avenue from Iowa Highway 141 to the northern city limit and involves changing the existing four-lane section to a three-lane section, matching the section around Willis Avenue.
The purpose of the conversion project is to address the aging pavement of First Avenue and the high crash rate along this corridor. The city has devoted a web page to the project for citizens wishing to fortify their opinions with facts.
I have lived on the north end of First Avenue for 50 years. Vehicle and foot traffic have greatly increased over the years. Here are my suggestions for the DOT and the city of Perry for improving the north end of First Avenue.
1. Sidewalks are needed from Park Street to the Bar-Jac area. People walk in the street all hours of the day. Many children walk and ride bicycles in the street on north First Avenue, and baby buggies are frequently seen being pushed on the state highway.
2. Reduce the speed limit. It is currently 45 mph in front of my house. Nowhere else in town is the speed limit that high in a residential area. Stricter enforcement of the speed limit would also be a benefit.
3. A few more street lights are needed to make the street safer at night.
4. A flashing yellow light or at least caution signs are needed at the intersection of First Avenue and the entrance to Bar-Jac.
I would like the City of Perry and the DOT to take these ideas into consideration when making plans to improve First Avenue.
Ray Harden
Perry