There was a steady stream of people that lined up outside of the main meeting room of the Greene County Community Center in Jefferson for a public meeting with the Iowa Department of Transportation.
District 1 Engineer with the DOT Allison Smyth told Raccoon Valley Radio the come and go meeting was to inform individuals about a proposed project to convert Iowa Highway 4 through the city of Jefferson from four to three lanes. She said an individual with the city contacted them about a speeding concern on the highway. Smyth pointed out this type of conversion allows for calming of traffic to reduce overall speeds and decrease the amount of contact points that cause vehicle crashes.
Smyth explained that from 2018-2023, there were 75 crashes recorded on Highway 4 in the city, and of those incidents, 60 resulted in property damage and the rest were possible or suspected personal injuries. She noted that they are in the information gathering stage and that the project is far from being finalized.
“We are here gauging the public’s interest in looking at a traffic calming project like this. This is not a done deal and we are definitely interested in what people actually living here think.”
Smyth illustrated that if the estimated $1 million project were to happen, Highway 4 from US Highway 30 to Lincoln Way would be resurfaced with new asphalt and the proper lane markings, whereas from Lincoln Way to Greenwood Road would be sandblasted to remove the current pavement markings and new lane markings would be painted. She added that the DOT would be responsible to pay for the project, using federal funds from the Highway Safety Improvement Program, but that the city could add additional work to the project that the city would be responsible to pay for. 
Smyth said the last community in District 1 to deny a similar conversion project was Grundy Center in 2019, due to there not being enough support for the project to happen.
Jefferson Mayor Craig Berry shared his thoughts of the people that came out to learn more about the project, ask questions and submit their comments in writing.
“There is a lot of people showing up to give their opinion of it. This is just basically a presentation. And it’s up to the (City) Council to vote on it, whether they want to accept what the DOT is proposing or not.”
Berry would like anyone who wants to submit their comments, to do so at City Hall or tell them to a City Council member. People can also click the link below to print off, fill out and submit their comments directly to the DOT. Smyth added that if the project were to get a supportive approval from the City Council, the earliest construction could happen is summer of 2026.