Council OK's Harrison Project - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Council OK's Harrison Project

Davenport city council gives the green light to a project that could have many drivers seeing red. The city hopes reducing lanes on Harrison St. helps increase business.

Pending state approval there will be parking on both sides of Harrison Street between 18th and 5th this summer. That's welcome news to most business owners in the Hilltop Campus Village.

However, some are taking a wait and see approach. "Can cause possible accidents with dealing with the parallel parking and everything else from that point of view but then again it might be also better for the activities and festivals that do go on to provide more parking." said Nicole Randall owner of Jimmy's King Gyros.

City council approved the measure 9–1 Wednesday night. Traffic engineers, say studies show Harrison can handle the lane reduction without major back–ups. A third lane of traffic will be open until 9am to help with the morning commute.

Still many that drive Harrison daily are not happy. "I just think it may be a little more dangerous, because people fly down that road." explained Angela Peavey. "They don't obey the speed limits."

 "There's a lot of traffic coming down and they are going to back up everywhere." added Zoe Johnson.

 The project still needs approval of the Iowa D.OT because Harrison is also a state highway. If they sign off city leaders say the lane changes should be in place by June.