At last week’s Sioux County Board of Supervisors meeting, representatives from the Iowa Department of Transportation outlined early discussions on potential safety upgrades at two of the county’s most dangerous intersections: Highway 75/18 near Hull and Highway 75/10 north of Maurice.
Sioux County Engineer Joel Sikkema tells Sioux County Radio that, while the planning process is still in its early stages, roundabouts appear to be the leading option at both locations.
Sikkema says the DOT is currently developing a “business case” to justify the projects. That analysis aims to demonstrate how roundabouts would significantly improve safety and traffic efficiency, which is required before state funding can be secured.
He points to other large roundabouts designed to handle heavy truck traffic — including one near Blair, Nebraska, and another the DOT is constructing near Marcus — as examples of how well-built designs can improve both flow and safety in high-volume areas.
Sikkema addresses some concerns that people may have in regards to roundabouts.
As for timing, Sikkema says the earliest construction could begin in 2028 at Highway 75/18, with the Highway 75/10 project tentatively following in 2029. He emphasized that both timelines are optimistic and dependent on funding and final approval from the DOT.
The intersections — known locally as Perkins Corner (75/18) and Million Dollar Corner (75/10) — have been under renewed scrutiny following several serious crashes, including a fatal collision earlier this year involving a 17-year-old from Rock Valley. County officials and law enforcement have since increased patrols in those areas, but they say any lasting solution will require state-level improvements.
View our initial story on this topic by clicking here.
