AMES, Iowa – Oct. 1, 2013 – The Iowa Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing Thursday, Oct. 10, to discuss the proposed improvement of Iowa 122/Business U.S. 18 in Mason City from Monroe Avenue east to Carolina Avenue and to present the environmental assessment for the project study area.
All interested persons are invited to attend this hearing between 5 and 7 p.m. in the Mason City Room at the Mason City Library, 225 Second St. SE. This public hearing will be conducted utilizing a combined open forum and formal format. Iowa Department of Transportation and city staff will be present with plans, displays, and related information to discuss the project informally between 5 and 6 p.m. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend the hearing anytime during the informal session to express their views and ask questions about the proposed improvement.
A formal presentation will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a question-and-answer session. There will be a three minute limit per speaker during the question-and-answer session. Persons wishing to make a formal presentation will need to note that at the time of registration. Oral and written statements will be accepted during both the open forum and the formal sessions.
The meeting space is accessible for persons with disabilities. However, if you require special accommodations at the meeting, please notify the Iowa DOT contact listed below by Oct. 3.
For general information regarding the proposed improvement or public hearing, contact Krista Rostad, transportation planner, Iowa DOT District 2 Office, 1420 Fourth St. SE, Mason City, Iowa 50401, telephone 641-422-9447 or 800-477-4368, email krista.rostad@dot.iowa.gov.
From Iowa DOT: “All we have is the original 2012 concepts available. New drawings are being prepared for the fall meeting and will be released to the public on that date.”
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Click links below:
Project display 1,Project display 2,Project display 3
Project display 4,Project display 5,Project display 6
Project display 7,Project display 8,Project display 9
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Last update to NIT from Iowa DOT regarding the project (May 10, 2013):
Hello,
I was wondering where I can get some more information on the re-design of Highway 122 in Mason City. I know the city recently paid $20,000 for a study- I believe that was a federal study on the environment surrounding the highway?
Are there any plans designed for this redesign? I believe the area in question is Monroe Avenue east to Virginia Avenue.
Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks
Matt Marquardt, NorthIowaToday.com Publisher
RESPONSE:
I am able to provide an update for you on the IA 122 Environmental Assessment, the current study you are referring to below.
We have been conducting a National Environmental Policy Act study, or NEPA Study, on the corridor jointly with the city of Mason City. The city contributed $20,000 toward the cost, as you noted.
We are nearing completion of the study. We developed two concepts for pavement reconstruction on the one ways from Monroe Avenue eastward to Carolina Avenue. These concepts were displayed and discussed at a public meeting on June 14, 2012. We will be working to hold a public hearing early this fall to meet with the public ad reach a preferred alternative.
Elements of the study included an environmental review which looked at wetlands, endangered species, hazardous materials, historical and cultural interest items along the corridor. These are required items to examine and document in a NEPA study. The concepts looked at existing and projected traffic volumes, crash history and potential solutions, turning movements, ROW, entrances, signalization, pedestrian and bicycle considerations, unused parking areas, and turn lanes, to name the majority. The concepts include a Fire Department access road directly south of their garage doors for the trucks to immediately travel eastbound, straightening the tight curves near Massachusetts Avenue, and lane alignment on Pennsylvania Avenue intersecting with 5th Street.
The city of Mason City is strongly supporting bike lanes along the corridor to meet their Blue Zones Project Initiatives. Also, during the project, all sidewalk curb ramps will become ADA compliant, the city will consider their traffic signals and utilities for replacement as will the private utilities.
We do not have funding for construction of this project at this time. Design will be the next stage when the study is complete and approved by the Federal Highway Administration. We hope design can begin in the spring of 2014.
Please let me know if you have additional questions.
Krista Rostad
District 2 Transportation Planner
District 2 Office
1420 Fourth Street SE
Mason City, IA 50401
Really! What a waste on tax payer dollars. I normally consider myself to be fairly progressive but there are no inherent advantages in this and the inconveniences this will create far outweigh anythig this project presents. This is a good time to just say no!
Option 2 is the best bet, with one addition. Close the alley behind the west side of Federal. People just use them to avoid the traffic lights on Federal.
Option B is the best where it limits intrusion on homeowners. This is definitely a good safety step for Mason City.
I wonder what these lovely people will offer to the in-home day care up the street from me. According to their maps, their going to be taking to inside her fence line. She has a bunch of play eqipment for the kids and now they’ll have no room to use it.
I found it quite rediculous that some of the resons that they state, besides softening the turns and crash rates, are so they can meet Blue Zone standards and clear some of the view into downtown. All you’lll be able to see is fast food joints and gas stations. Unless they plan on taking out some trees across the river by the library.
And what about the two new frozen yogurt places. I saw teens in there loading up the yogurt with candy to the roof. The bowls are HUGE! There must 2000-3000 calories in those bowls! WTH??? That’s a blue zone? This town is a joke! This mayor is a joke, and so is his blue zone.
And you can’t tell me that Panchero’s is going to fall into their Blue Zones standards. Everything in this town is out of line, thanks to Booky.
You will also be required to keep the bike lanes free of snow in the winter. More cost for the home owner just for special interest.
If the bike lanes are being built in with the roadway, why does that fall on the homeowner? Shouldn’t the city plow those along with the road? In their plan, they are taking more than half my driveway (thats too small to hold a car in now). Where am I suppose to park my vehicle since they are getting rid of side-street parking? The church won’t let us park in their empty lot where Garfield use to be. And how am I suppose to feel safe with my son playing that close to the road? I’d take him up to the playground on the church lot but have had attending members tell me that the playground is strictly for members children. I’ve even called and questioned the police about it and they told me that since it is on their property they can set their own rules to it.
@Allison-I hear what you are saying but the “Special Interest Groups” and our city government care more about their blue zone than they do the taxpayers of this city. Vote them out and send a message that we are tired of their crap. Vote for Max, Leonard, Jody and Matt for a fair city government.
I plan on voting them out. Booky has had his fair turn and ran this city into the ground. I remember growing up and being proud to be from Mason City, now when I travel and people ask where I’m from I tell them Nora Springs. The Blue Zones is a joke. On a weekly basis, maybe three people ride by on bikes. And thats on a Friday or Saturday night when they don’t want on OWI. And how can he support the Blue Zones and be him. What is he noe, pushing 300?
I looked at the EA last night on the DOT website and what they plan to take from both sides of my yard. They will leave us with a 6 foot front yard, with a 3-year-old son and a small dog. I’ve already lost one dog to the road. I don’t quite understand why they have to take from both sides. What about the resale value? How is one suppose to sale a house with next to no yard? There are a lot of questions I plan on raiseing at this meeting!
Bike lanes.
There is more than enough space right now to accommodate bike lanes. 122 is way too wide now. They are taking land to open up the curves. If they take away all the value of your property Allison, they need to buy the house and help you purchase a new one.
That’s what I said. They can buy out the loan I have on this house and buy me the house next door to my father. At least then my son and dog can play in a fenced in yard and not have to worry about anything.