Transportation officials showcased plans to remake a very dangerous intersection in eastern Iowa last night. The Iowa Department of Transportation wants to install a J-intersection at the intersection of Highway 151 and Springville Road. That would stop drivers on Springville Road from turning left or crossing Highway 151.
Instead, drivers would turn right, and then make a U-turn down the road. The idea isn’t sitting well with Springville Mayor Richard Heeren.
“I think this is going to create more accidents and tie up more traffic than even four stop signs,” Heeren said. Since 2003, crashes at the intersection have killed two people and injured 22 others. DOT officials say a J-turn intersection would eliminate direct crossing and could prevent 72% of all collisions.
By Dave Franzman, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids