Scott County to improve dangerous intersections
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By Deirdre Cox Baker | Sunday, August 26, 2007 |
Scott County Engineer Jon Burgstrum says the intersection at U.S. 61 and Scott County Road Y-48, Davenport, is the most dangerous in the rural area. (Talya C. Arbisser/Quad-City Times) Buy this Photo
Scott County will make changes aimed at improving safety at two of its most dangerous rural intersections.
The crossing at U.S. 61 and Scott County Road Y-48 just west of Davenport is the most dangerous in the rural area, Scott County Engineer Jon Burgstrum said.
The second, at Wisconsin Avenue and Slopertown Road, also is considered a hazard, especially for bus drivers in the North Scott School District.
Drivers on U.S. 61 can travel 65 mph as they approach the intersection with Y-48, which leads in one direction to West Lake Park and several residential subdivisions. Accidents commonly happen when the highway drivers run the red light and hit those turning off the county road, Burgstrum told the Scott County Board of Supervisors.
Safety improvements are estimated at $100,000. Burgstrum will apply for an $85,000 state safety grant and the county will kick in $15,000.
The 2001-06 accident history for the U.S. 61 and Y-48 intersection includes 33 crashes — resulting in one fatality,
10 major injuries, nine minor injuries and 16 possible injuries. Total property damage is $244,550.
Most accidents were caused by drivers running a red light, or failing to yield to those making a left turn, Burgstrum said.
Scott County Sheriff Dennis Conard agreed with the description of the U.S. 61 and Y-48 intersection as “the most dangerous intersection in rural Scott County.”
“The stoplights there, for some reason, people don’t see them,” he said. “It’s got great sight distance, it is engineered correctly; but it seems to be a light that people miss.”
He does not believe that
drivers are intentionally running through the lights.
“I think they’re just not seeing it,” he said. “That’s the only thing I can figure.”
Proposed improvements include an overhead “Prepare to Stop” sign on U.S. 61, equipped with beacons that flash only when signals are activated by traffic on the county road.
Also, left-hand turn signals on the existing traffic lights will allow turns off U.S. 61 only on green arrows.
Part of the intersection at Wisconsin Avenue, also called 130th Avenue, and Slopertown Road was paved this summer, Burgstrum said. Stop signs currently exist on Wisconsin, but not on Slopertown Road, which is now gravel but is to be paved next year.
“Drivers on the pavement don’t think they should stop, but those on the gravel do,” said Burgstrum, who recently studied the intersection. “It’s just a confusing situation.”
Supervisors also fast-tracked the plan to establish a four-way stop at the Slopertown Road site, waiving second and third readings at last week’s meeting to immediately formalize the rule.
(Reporter Thomas Geyer contributed to this story.)
Deirdre Cox Baker can be contacted at (563) 383-2492 or dbaker@qctimes.com.
Accident history
For U.S. 61 and Y-48 intersection
2001-06
Total accidents: 33
Fatality: 1
Major injuries: 10
Minor injuries: 9
Possible injuries: 16
Property damage: $244,550.
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