The Lee County Board of Supervisors wants to be at full strength when it makes what could be seen as a controversial vote.
A run-down railroad crossing without safety arms intersects 180th Street near the site of Iowa Fertilizer Company’s proposed plant.
The plant’s potential neighbors have expressed concerns and frustrations to the supervisors about crossing the tracks if rail traffic increases and safety with more trains and semi-trucks.
The supervisors have said they support the idea of building an overpass, but the board tabled a resolution, this week, to make that support official.
Supervisor Gary Folluo said the board did not want to vote on this with two of its five members absent.
“Anytime you are dealing with the (Iowa) Department of Transportation or anything to do with railroads or crossings, you have to make sure you have full support of the local governing board,” said Folluo.
Folluo was joined at Tuesday’s meeting by fellow Supervisors Rick Larkin and Larry Kruse.
Janet Fife-LaFrenz and Ernie Schiller were not in attendance.
Iowa Fertilizer Company would likely pay for any construction based on a previous agreement with the county.
There has also been talk of relocating a portion of 180th Street to make it easier for large vehicles to enter/exit highway 61, but nothing formal on that proposal has been presented to the supervisors.
