What to do about deadly Dyersville intersection?

Changes to a deadly intersection near Dyersville were the topic of discussion during an Iowa Department of Transportation meeting Wednesday.

In the past 11 years, the intersection of Highway 20 and Seventh Street, near the Dubuque-Delaware county line, has had 15 wrecks resulting in six deaths.

Chiropractor Robert Meisch's office is near the intersection.

“There are a number of people that live in town that will not drive on the highway to come to the office, because they don't want to deal with the busy intersection,” he said.

A crew from KCRG-TV9 counted 138 vehicles passing through the intersection in 10 minutes.

Engineers are thinking about building an interchange in the area.

“We've made a number of attempts at safety to keep that intersection open, with yellow signs, with flashing lights, with the addition of some turn lanes,” said Sam Shea, a planner with the Iowa Department of Transportation.

But even those efforts don't seem to be helping. In June 2006, two teens died when their car collided with a milk truck at the intersection. A woman was killed in an accident there this June.

“Anytime there is a fatality, one death is one too many,” Shea said.

Shea said most of the accidents happen when drivers attempt to make a left turn across traffic.

The DOT says residents should expect to see crews working near the intersection. They are trying to figure out whether it will be feasible to add an interchange in the area.

Katie Wiedemann, KCRG-TV