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Residents urge county to press DOT and engineers for safer Somerset access as development increases
Summary
Residents told supervisors that new construction and industrial activity near Somerset has increased truck traffic and created a dangerous intersection; they asked the county to work with the Iowa Department of Transportation and county engineers to pursue a redesign or safer access lane.
Several residents spoke during public comment to urge the Warren County Board of Supervisors to address a safety problem where Somerset Road meets Highway 65/69, saying recent development and construction have increased heavy-truck traffic and created hazardous turning conflicts.
A long-time resident said trucks pulling trailers and construction equipment wait on Somerset Road and struggle to enter the highway, sometimes skidding in winter conditions. The speaker noted that a nearby Busy Bee driveway received a state-built access lane within two weeks in a prior case and said similar improvements are needed at the Somerset intersection to prevent collisions.
The resident acknowledged the intersection is primarily a state highway issue but asked the board and the county engineer to open dialogue with the Iowa Department of Transportation and consider budgeting for a long-term solution. He warned that new housing development planned near the old Somerset Winery and recent construction activity will add traffic and increase the risk if access is not improved.
Supervisors did not commit to a specific engineering fix during the meeting but heard the public request to prioritize coordination with DOT and to evaluate design options, such as an improved deceleration/turn lane or other traffic-control measures, to reduce crash risk.
