(Arnolds Park)– The Arnolds Park city council Wednesday was updated on efforts to get stoplights installed at the intersection of Highway 71 and 202nd Street, or the Taco House corner. The cities of Arnolds Park, West Okoboji, Milford and the county all have jurisdiction in that area. Each agreed to pay a fourth of the cost of a study identifying the need for having signals at that intersection. Arnolds Park City Administrator Ron Walker says he visited with D-O-T officials regarding the matter Tuesday. He says the preliminary response was positive, but as of right now nothing has been received in writing.
Walker says some alterations may be needed to the intersection in the event it is approved for a stoplight. He says the D-O-T may require an additional turning lane which would escalate the cost.
In addition to the three cities and the county, Walker feels a fifth entity, the Dickinson County Trails Association, should be brought to the table as well. There’s currently a trail on the east side of the Highway, and Walker says that would be a perfect location for a crossing.
The study is costing each of the entities involved 400-dollars for a total of 1,600-dollars. The cost of putting in the traffic signals has been estimated at 500-thousand.
