City exploring changes, improvements to traffic flow at Heivly and College Drive

One of the possible options proposes removing the left turn lane and narrowing Heivly Street at its intersection with College Drive, which would provide extra space on the north side of the street. According to an informal traffic study performed by the city engineer, left turns account for about 1 percent of traffic at this intersection. (Photo by Denise Lana)

By Denise Lana,

With the first phase of construction for the long-awaited North Alley Project due to begin this summer along Heivly Street, the Decorah City Council discussed possible improvements Monday night, which could take place at the busy intersection where Heivly meets College Drive.  

City Engineer John Hjelle has been working with Iowa engineering and planning firm WHKS to reconfigure the intersection and offer three design concepts for the council to consider.  

Hjelle performed an informal traffic study at the intersection in October of 2024, observing weekday traffic for eight hours split equally between the morning and afternoon.  

He shared his findings with the council during Monday’s meeting, saying the left turn lane on Heivly is very lightly used throughout the day. 

“That left turn lane is unnecessary from a vehicle traffic pattern standpoint. We would still give motorists the option of turning left there, but left turns are about 1 percent of the traffic at that intersection,” Hjelle said.   

One of the possible options proposes removing the left turn lane and narrowing Heivly at the intersection, which would provide extra space on the north side of the street. Currently, as part of phase one, a 10-foot-wide bicycle and pedestrian track is expected to be installed on the north side of Heivly, running from the fire department and terminating near the west end of Heivly.  

Full article available in the January 9 Decorah Leader.

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