Supervisors hear concerns from nearby resident on Highway 30/Binford Avenue project
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As the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) prepares to ramp up its plans for improvements at the intersection of Highway 30 and Binford Avenue west of State Center to accommodate the Marshall Ridge Dairy expansion project, the Marshall County Board of Supervisors heard concerns from a nearby resident who worried that his access could be negatively impacted during Wednesday morning's regular meeting.
Steven Weuve, who lives near the aforementioned intersection, worried that the new acceleration lane would take up about 15 feet, so the gravel portion of his crossover would be reduced from 43 to 28 feet, not leaving much room if they travel east out of their driveway. He asked if there were plans to pave Canfield Avenue a mile east of Binford with an acceleration lane there instead.
"It just causes a harder, difficult, more dangerous crossover for us out of our driveway, so that's the main concern," Weuve said.
County Engineer Paul Geilenfeldt indicated that he and Weuve have already communicated about the issue, and he said the left-turn acceleration lane in the plans mirrors one located on Highway 30 just east of Boone near United School for eastbound traffic. The main difference is that that property doesn't have a farm driveway crossover within it.
A traffic impact study from 2025 shows a peak of seven vehicles turning left there per hour during silage and haylage, which is projected to increase to an hourly peak of 11.
"Everything that we're doing there, according to what we've done and working with the DOT, will improve safety. It does make his spot in the middle, it makes it tighter," Geilenfeldt said.
Supervisor Carol Hibbs asked Weuve if he had a specific request for the board, and he reiterated his concern that the gravel would become too short as a result of the project. Geilenfeldt noted that the westbound lanes will have a painted triangle to create a visual barrier, and in response to a question from Supervisor Christian Goodman, Weuve told him that moving farm equipment could become more complicated.
"It just adds a lot more 'check this, check that, check this.' It makes it a little more difficult to negotiate that," Weuve said.
According to Geilenfeldt, Canfield could be improved in the future, but there would be no reason for a left turn acceleration because vehicles won't drive east to go back west to the dairy, which is doubling in size and will service the new Daisy Sour Cream plant in Boone once it is operational.
Weuve said there are other acreages going south on Binford, so the issue isn't solely about the trucks going to the dairy. Sheriff Joel Phillips explained that the acceleration lane would not be an entry point and referenced the major crash at the Highway 30/Durham Avenue intersection earlier in the week.
"This is adding complexity in a stretch of roadway that's already difficult for a lot of motorists to traverse through. I wish I had the answer for all this area along here to make it safer for everyone. I just don't have that," Phillips said. "It's a hard stretch of road... It's gonna be a difficult stretch of road unless some improvements are made."
Weuve felt that the trucks needed an acceleration lane, but he wasn't sure that it needed to be at the Binford intersection, which is about 800 feet from his driveway. Geilenfeldt reiterated that the goal was to make the intersection safer, and the plans had been designed by a consultant and OKed by the DOT.
Goodman, who drives a truck professionally, said thin medians like the ones along Highway 30 can make for more dangerous situations. The project is currently set to be let in October with an early start date of April 2027, so Geilenfeldt said there was still time to ask questions and "reasonably consider" changes and accommodations with the consultant and the DOT.
Geilenfeldt agreed to go back to the DOT with the concerns presented and explore "workable options."
During the public comment period, County Assessor Blaze Wurr shared a reminder to residents not to threaten Vanguard staff with weapons as they conduct the countywide reappraisal project.
In other business, the board:
Honored Kevin Huseboe for five years of service as the County Veterans Affairs Director.
Approved the consent agenda as listed.
Approved a change order for the OPN Architects and Garling Construction Jail/Sheriff's Office improvements contract in the amount of $8,217.94.
Approved an amendment to a 28E agreement with Marion County for the Healthy Hometowns -- Combat Cancer: Prevention and Screening Program due to an increase in funding and authorized the Public Health Director to sign.
Approved the first reading of an ordinance regarding maximum hourly rates for court-appointed personnel fees.
Approved the Office of Drug Control Policy Methamphetamine Drug Hot Spots and Anti-Heroin Grant Program overtime drug investigation reimbursement in the total amount of $11,000.
Approved a contract for services with Ciro DiIorio Masonry and Landscaping in the amount of $72,625 for rebuilding the west wall of the truck shed at 901 E. Boone St. and authorized the chair to sign.
Adopted a resolution to vacate a portion of Brown Avenue.
Adopted a resolution to designate voting representatives for the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC).
Contact Robert Maharry at (641) 753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.