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City receives Carver Corner update as staff warn of truck impacts and longer bypass times
Summary
City staff presented traffic-count data for the Carver Corner and Grandview repaving project showing 600–700 large delivery vehicles per weekday; staff recommended diverting semi-truck traffic to the bypass (increasing trip time by 20–30 minutes) and cautioned that Hershey Avenue's 4-inch asphalt may not withstand sustained heavy truck volumes.
City staff and project representatives briefed the Muscatine City Council on March 17 about traffic and construction options for the Carver Corner and Grandview repaving work, focusing on truck routing, road damage risk and roundabout design.
Kevin (project representative) said traffic counters recorded roughly 600–700 delivery and large vehicles between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays, with a peak approaching one truck per minute. Staff timed travel to District Way and estimated that routing trucks around the bypass would take about 20 minutes for a semi (versus six minutes on the existing downtown route) and add roughly 20–30 minutes round trip for those vehicles.
Kevin also reported the asphalt thickness on Hershey is only 4 inches, warning that sustained heavy truck traffic would likely damage the pavement. Alternatives discussed included keeping one lane open with phased construction (which would extend project duration), using alternating traffic control (which staff said caused long backups on a prior, shorter project), or directing only heavy/semis to the bypass.
Council members pressed staff on congestion, enforcement and the length of delays. Staff said they would plan extra enforcement in some locations and noted the roundabout design will be similar to the Mulberry roundabout with red-colored concrete bands and a planted center, and that a concrete pad would be left to accommodate future public art.
Council provided feedback and questions; the presentation was an informational update and the council gave staff direction to continue planning and to bring decisions back to the council as needed.
