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Washington County Sheriff Jerry Dunbar suggested that the Riverside City Council hire an additional officer to help with traffic at the intersection of Highways 218 and 22 when the Riverside Casino opens August 31.
Addressing the council Monday night, he said the southbound exit from Highway 218 onto 22 would likely back up onto the highway as people stopped and then attempted to turn left towards the casino.
"We need an officer at the off-ramp directing traffic. Otherwise, it will backup and some people will get impatient and that could cause problems," he said.
The intersection is of concern to both Riverside and the county because the city contracts with the Washington County Sheriff's department for law and traffic enforcement. Dunbar said he doesn't have enough officers to post one at the intersection for the entire weekend.
Council members doubt that the sheriff's department is sufficiently staffed to handle the projected 1 million annual visitors to the gaming facility. They worry in particular that a lack of traffic enforcement could lead to more accidents, burdening their Emergency Services staff. Casino officials have assured council members that traffic would not be a problem and have installed traffic lights and turnouts on Highway 22.
Later, Dunbar said that while the turnouts solve problems on Highway 22, the intersection with 218 remains a source of potential problems. For the intersection to be truly safe, major improvements would be needed.
"I would like to see the southbound exit ramp be a double lane. They should set up stop lights on both sides of the intersection. Highway 22 should be four lane all the way to the casino," he said.
An even larger potential problem looms ahead. If Earthpark opens just across the road from the casino, its own projections of up to 800,000 annual visitors could put as many as 1.8 million people at the intersection each year.
After discussion, council members are taking the matter under advisement.
In other business, the city council approved the first reading of an ordinance renewing a franchise with Interstate Light and Power. Signs will be posted warning motorists of children at play.
Council members voted to proceed with an update to their comprehensive plan. In a related move, they agreed to allow the Iowa Department of Economic Development to conduct a community survey. The results could be used in drafting the comprehensive plan.
The city will move city funds to People's Savings Bank and agreed to provide concrete for improvements to the bleachers at the park.
Riverside Grain and Feed will be contacted to see if they still want an antenna on top of the water tower. The city is still seeking a building inspector. The Labor Day council meeting will be moved from September 4 to September 7. |
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