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Farmers, emergency crews warn Indianola council the Hillcrest trail median blocks equipment and hinders access
Summary
Multiple farmers and the fire department told the council the new raised island at the Hillcrest Avenue trail crossing prevents tractors and large equipment from using the Farm-to-Market route and may impede ambulance access; the council directed staff to evaluate options including grinding curbs, widening a bypass and installing push-button flashers.
Residents and emergency officials pressed the Indianola City Council on May 19 to change a recently installed raised island at the Hillcrest Avenue trail crossing, arguing it prevents farm equipment from using a road classified by the Iowa DOT as a Farm-to-Market route and creates safety risks.
At the start of public comment, farmer Kurt Moffett said multiple local operators cannot pass the median and cited DOT traffic counts to show Hillcrest carries far less traffic than the alternative route on 6569. “Since that trail crossing has been done, there’s an island in the middle of the road … it’s not able to be used for farm equipment at this time,” Moffett said.
Several other residents echoed the claim. Doug Anstott said he can’t get a tractor or a 16-foot mower through the crossing without damaging equipment and hitting signs. Blake Woodruff said large combines with low-sidewall tires risk catastrophic, costly damage if forced over the curbs.
Fire Chief Aaron Herr told the council his department assessed the crossing and found ambulances cannot make the turn with the current curb and signage placement; he said that while the lane width on the trail itself would accommodate ambulances, the approach turn with the island in place prevents safe passage. Chief Herr said staff had discussed whether grinding the curb would allow access and that staff would investigate the logistics.
Councilmembers said the median was originally installed to increase pedestrian safety. Councilmember Melissa (first to speak during the discussion) observed she had not seen a pedestrian standing in the center of the island and urged the council to weigh the city’s agricultural character in the design. Several members raised alternatives: removing the median entirely, filing (grinding) it down, bumping out outer curbs to create an oval bypass, or installing a push-button flashing amber light to warn drivers when a trail user intends to cross.
Mayor Richardson and other councilmembers directed Public Works staff to revisit earlier engineering options, provide cost estimates and evaluate grant-funding possibilities for each option. The council’s action was to receive the staff file and send the matter back to engineering for a fuller set of options, not to approve an immediate change.
Next steps: staff will return to the council with cost estimates, engineering options (including curb grinding or an oval bypass), and information about potential grant funding and timelines before any construction or removal occurs.
