(SIOUX CITY, IA) That "blue zone" designation could play a part in whether Sioux City will get more crosswalks and sidewalks.
A few weeks ago a man died after crossing Gordon Drive without a designated crosswalk. The city and the Iowa DOT are working together to address some of those safety concerns along Gordon.
Sioux City manager Paul Eckert says a big part of getting the community active is re-structuring the city sidewalks and trails, so people can get around town on foot more easily. But the sticking point is money.
Gordon Drive is a busy road with many stop lights but no signaled crosswalks between South Martha and Fairmount, a stretch of road totaling three-quarters of a mile.
"What's been identified, is that there were not previous requests for crosswalks there, and further it's an Iowa DOT policy that they will not have a crosswalk unless there's a sidewalk," says Paul Eckert, Sioux City Manager.
Building a sidewalk is the city's responsibility and coincidentally, the sidewalk along Gordon ends right in front of the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Dakin Schultz, a DOT transportation planner says, building sidewalks, tearing down curbs and putting in crosswalks are expensive requests, roughly a few hundred thousand dollars.
"In this situation, it will be up to the city, if they want to do sidewalks, and as far as our role in that, were happy to work with the City on what they feel ultimately they want to do there," says Schultz.
A few years ago, SIMPCO did a "sidewalk inventory study" along Gordon Drive. Red and yellow indicators marked the lack of sidewalks.
"Whether that be sidewalk or trail, or improvements to roadways, there should be some type of evaluation to determine there's a public benefit for the cost," says Schultz.
"We do always in any situation like this, want to remind people to always be safe. Whether it's the runner, who may find themselves out in the street, or anyone, take the time, and whatever the circumstances are, use the safest route. But we are working with the DOT to resolve it," says Eckert.
Now the Iowa DOT and Sioux City did some resurfacing along a different part of Gordon Drive last year. Crews still need to make sure existing cross walks in that area meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
And Schultz says the two groups will meet in the near future to talk about a solution for this latest area of concern.
Hleigh@siouxlandnews.com
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