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Resident urges Keokuk to add sidewalks on Johnson Street Road, staff to seek updated estimates
Summary
A resident told the council that pedestrians and children lack a safe walking route on Johnson Street Road; city staff said a past engineering study and plans exist and will be updated to provide current cost estimates and explore grant options.
During public comment at the March 6 Keokuk City Council meeting, resident Barbara Eaton (1191 Johnson Street Road) urged the council to address missing sidewalks along Johnson Street Road, saying walkers, people pushing strollers and children using the street must share space with vehicles and the situation is "really dangerous."
Staff responded that an engineering firm completed plans several years ago for Phase 1 of a sidewalk project and that Phase 2 would have addressed Johnson Street Road. Staff said the project was shelved for financial reasons and offered to have engineers "dust that off" and produce an updated cost estimate. Staff also said they would review grant opportunities (including programs similar to safe‑routes‑to‑school) and consider whether to pair the sidewalk work with planned infrastructure bonding.
Council members and staff emphasized a full sidewalk (separate from a painted pedestrian lane) and noted poor lighting in the area at night; staff recommended prioritizing a sidewalk to provide a buffer between pedestrians and traffic. Staff said they would bring cost updates to the public works committee and council for further consideration.
