The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to reaffirm its support for Alternative One in the redesign of the 70th Avenue and Iowa Highway 7 intersection near Platinum Crush—echoing its August position—but signaled they would be willing to compromise with Alternative Two if required. The board also formally opposed Alternative Three, the most invasive option.
The vote followed nearly an hour and a half of discussion, with Lake Creek residents, Iowa Department of Transportation officials, and the board of supervisors weighing safety, drainage, and property impacts.
The three alternatives differ in how they realign 70th Avenue, or Villa Road’s, approach to Highway 7. Alternative One is a 60-degree angle with a 550-foot eastbound turn lane for trucks turning south onto 70th Avenue. The intersection would also be raised by roughly a foot to improve truck approach angles and sight distance near the Canadian National Railway tracks. Alternative Two shifts the road to a 75-degree angle, improving sightlines and reducing the railroad crossing footprint. Alternative Three, which is favored by the DOT, creates a full 90-degree intersection, but would significantly impact nearby homes, farmland, and infrastructure.
Residents voiced frustration with the shifting direction and lack of early transparency. Safety concerns dominated the bulk of the conversation.
Board member Kathy Croker, a Lake Creek resident, says she drives the route on a daily basis and regularly observes unsafe traffic flow patterns.
Iowa DOT District 3 Transportation Planner Sarah Tracy reiterated that addressing such safety issues is urgent.
Tracy confirmed the railroad is closely monitoring the intersection, with cameras and police already in place.
Some residents urged rerouting truck traffic to 80th Avenue.
The board acknowledged the idea but said the county cannot dictate truck routes, though they may encourage Platinum Crush to direct traffic accordingly.
The board’s recommendation will now be presented at a railroad diagnostic meeting, expected in November.
