(Milford)– An open house informational session on the possible conversion of Highway 71 through Milford from four lanes to three will be held next week. Project Manager Jennifer McCoy of the Bolten and Menk engineering firm tells KUOO news the event will run from 5:30 until 7:00 pm Thursday, March 6th, at the Milford Community Center…
“So there will be information, kind of describing the why behind this project, what’s being considered, and then the benefits and disadvantages for a change from four to three lanes, similar to what they did in Arnolds Park, and then a chance to talk with city staff and consultant staff and get your questions or concerns addressed.”
McCoy says they’re also gathering input through an online survey…
“That survey again is going to just give us a chance to kind of gather information from the community about concerns and issues on the corridor that exist today and also give them a chance to give their thoughts on a four versus three land conversion as well.”
McCoy says feedback from the open house and survey will be considered by the Milford City Council at their meeting March 24th…
“To present kind of the data, you know. The safety reasons, the traffic volume reasons and kind of the data side of things, but also the input we’ve heard from the community, and present all that information to the council so they have kind of all those pieces to make that decision if the four lane to three lane conversion should move forward.”
McCoy goes on to explain at what point the Iowa Department of Transportation would get involved…
“If the city were to decide that they want to move forward with the four to three lane conversion, they will basically be signing a resolution of support. That resolution of support goes to the Iowa D.O.T and then the conversation starts about who’s going to fund which pieces, what the project timeline is, all those things. Nothing can start those conversations with the D.O.T until that formal resolution is signed by the city council.”
The survey is available by clicking here. It closes March 14th.
