A controversial debate came before the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors Tuesday on whether to move the Port Neal interchange on I-29. Sioux City leaders want it moved, but others aren't convinced.
Members of the Woodbury County Farm Bureau voiced their support for keeping the interchange where it is. They say in it's current location it's best set to serve rural residents.
The city wants to move it and make one exit for the Southbridge development.
If the exit is moved, the City of Sioux City has agreed to cover all infrastructure costs. Lawyers from both sides are now sitting down to work on an agreement of terms.
"Once we get that done, then we will go to the property owners, the businesses and discuss the possible layout of a different interchange." says Supervisor Larry Clausen.
Meanwhile, folks near the current Port Neal Interchange are wondering when the bridge will be fixed. It has been closed since a semi-truck collided with it back in August. This has rerouted traffic around the area creating headaches for many residents.
Before the accident, the communities of Salix and Sloan relied on the Port Neal bridge for daily use. But now, they say the closure has not only created an inconvenience for them, but also a safety hazard.
The Iowa DOT is currently working on plans to repair the bridge, a process which may take several months. And with winter quickly approaching, that means crews wouldn't be able to start construction until the spring. A timeline unacceptable for some.
"I've seen bridges land in the middle of a highway and in 2 weeks, 3 weeks them bridges were going. So there is no way it should take 6 months to design a small bridge going over I-29." says Salix Resident Dan Lee.
Until it's repaired, traffic has been rerouted and now passes through residential areas. Officials say they have already seen semis run stop signs and bring hazardous materials into Salix.
"I know there's ammonia. You can tell from the trucks that are going through town. You can just smell the ammonia off of them." says Mayor Linda Cox of Salix, IA.
Fire department and rescue vehicles are also subject to the detour. In an emergency, going all the way around Brown's Lake will take precious time they may not have. Add in camping traffic near the lake, and it could be treacherous.
"Watch for the truck traffic. I've got a lot of elderly people that live in Salix and I am really worried that we're going to have a major accident." says Cox.
Residents say the traffic in the area will only get worse as harvest season approaches. And that driving in the winter is difficult enough, let along with extra vehicles on the road.
