Changing Lanes For Busy Davenport Street? - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Changing Lanes For Busy Davenport Street?

by Roland Glembine / rglembine@cbs4qc.com

One of Davenport's main drags could soon be cut in half. The plan is getting mixed reviews. The city wants to cut Harrison st. from four lanes down to two, from 18th street down to 5th. Adding parking on both sides of the street.

"That will be beautiful that's the best thing to ever happen," said barber Joe Mclemore. He is no stranger to the challenges facing Hilltop District businesses, "I've been up on this hill since 1975 and we've always had a problem with parking for the businesses."

Neighbor Wendi Laacke just opened up her antique shop in November. "The biggest problem for me is just loading and unloading and just the convenience of my customers."

Come June those problems could be over, the city's plan makes Harrison's outside two lanes parking only from 9 am to 3am. "West lane would be available as a travel lane during the morning rush but would be parking the rest of the time," explained city traffic engineer Gary Statz.

 But that has many drivers seeing red. "Traffic as you can see is already thick, cutting down to two lanes is going to give you less room for emergency vehicles." exclaimed one driver while filling up his car with gas at the corner of Harrison and Locust. Across the pump another frustrated driver said, "Going to pose some problems I know I already have trouble getting in to work."

 "I cant say its not going to cause any backups. Its going to at times but I think for the most part we will be just fine." answered Statz.

 If the city council green lights the project next Wednesday, the Iowa D.O.T would still have to give their approval because Harrison St. is a state highway.