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Residents urge Mound City to reroute construction detour off West Edge Boulevard, cite safety risks
Summary
Residents told the Mound City Council June 9 that a construction detour has directed heavy trucks and fast traffic onto West Edge Boulevard, causing property damage and safety hazards; staff and police pledged targeted signage, a speed-tracking sign and efforts to push large vehicles to Highway 92.
Residents of West Edge Boulevard pressed the Mound City Council on June 9 to immediately reroute a construction detour they said has sent heavy traffic and full-size semis through their neighborhood.
"This detour is not supposed to be coming down West Edge. It says 92. We need to push that way and close off West Edge," said Christina Meyer, who identified herself as a 13-year resident at 2676 West Edge Boulevard. Meyer said her household has recorded property damage since the detour began June 1, including a mailbox ripped from its concrete base and a police report filed about the incident.
The testimony tied specific safety concerns to the detour: children playing near the street, drivers exceeding the posted 20 mph speed, and large trucks negotiating a steep curve. "Full-size semis going 30–35 miles an hour. That's dangerous," Meyer said. Her husband, Matthew Meyer, said he watched a loaded semi lose part of its load and described repeated near-collisions as drivers used the neighborhood as a shortcut.
Council members and staff acknowledged the complaints and described a short-term approach focused on signage, targeted routing for larger vehicles and enforcement where feasible. A police representative identified in the meeting as Sergeant Spencer said the department will deploy a speed-tracking sign on West Edge to collect speed and volume data and that officers will perform targeted enforcement (LIDAR/radar) when possible. "We don't have the resources to babysit that at all times," the officer said, noting staffing limits while adding the department is increasing visible patrols and stops.
City staff said they will evaluate additional signs directed specifically at tractor-trailers and identify locations to better divert commercial traffic to Highway 92. Council members and staff discussed placing more cones, clarifying detour signage on approach routes, and directing crews to find signage placements that discourage through traffic while allowing local access for residents and essential construction vehicles.
Meyer and other residents asked for quicker action than the week-long follow-up staff proposed. Residents said the detour is expected to remain in place at least through July 10 as work continues at the boat-launch/water-treatment area, and they urged immediate measures to reduce crash risk and roadway damage.
The council did not take a binding vote on closing West Edge during the meeting but directed staff to review signage and truck routing and to return with recommended actions. The council said it would coordinate with police to identify enforceable restrictions and to pursue sign placements to reroute large vehicles to Highway 92.
