DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Highway 61 correspondence and documents, 1968-1974 | 1974-12-20 H.E. Gunnerson to Mr. James Frazier Page 10

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Highway 61 correspondence and documents, 1968-1974

1974-12-20 H.E. Gunnerson to Mr. James Frazier Page 10

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Avenue G also travels through the Fort Madison central business district.

The only advantage that could be gained from this proposal is the elimination of left turns onto oncoming traffic. However this problem would still remain for traffic traveling on U.S. 61 on the Avenue L portion. It is on the Avenue L portion where the highest traffic counts were recorded.

It was assumed that this DOT alternative did not intend that all north-south streets in Fort Madison should be one-way. It is unclear in Mr. Frazier's letter. Many of these streets are only four or five blocks in length. It is extremely difficult to see how a one-way system of north-south streets would solve any of the City's transportation problems. At one time several of the north-south streets were one-way. However public opinion and a lack of benefit caused this system of one-way streets to be abandoned.

DOT PROPOSAL NUMBER 2

This DOT proposal reads, "Partial utilization of Alternate 1 or (1Y) would be proposed from the east until 23rd Street, then south to the proposed 4A and thence on west."

The part of this proposal which includes the utilization of route 4A from 23rd to 40th Streets is feasible and acceptable. However that part of the compromise alternative which suggests the connecting of route 4A with the present route of U.S. 61 by routing traffic over 23rd Street and then to Avenue L is not an adequate solution to the traffic problems of east 23rd Street. This particular alternative would add yet two more ninety degree turns to a highway that already has two ninety degree turns which create congestion.

Saving...

-2- Avenue G also travels through the Fort Madison central business district. The only advantage that could be gained from this proposal is the elimination of left turns onto oncoming traffic. However this problem would still remain for traffic traveling on U.S. 61 on the Avenue L portion. It is on the Avenue L portion where the highest traffic counts were recorded. It was assumed that this DOT alternative did not intend that all north-south streets in Fort Madison should be one-way. It is unclear in Mr. Frazier's letter. Many of these streets are only four or five blocks in length. It is extremely difficult to see how a one-way system of north-south streets would solve any of the City's transportation problems. At one time several of the north-south streets were one-way. However public opinion and a lack of benefit caused this system of one-way streets to be abandoned. DOT PROPOSAL NUMBER 2 This DOT proposal reads, "Partial utilization of Alternate 1 or (1Y) would be proposed from the east until 23rd Street, then south to the proposed 4A and thence on west." The part of this proposal which includes the utilization of route 4A from 23rd to 40th Streets is feasible and acceptable. However that part of the compromise alternative which suggests the connecting of route 4A with the present route of U.S. 61 by routing traffic over 23rd Street and then to Avenue L is not an adequate solution to the traffic problems of east 23rd Street. This particular alternative would add yet two more ninety degree turns to a highway that already has two ninety degree turns which create congestion.