City officials in Atlantic are preparing for a disruption in traffic flow on Highway 6/7th Street, from Olive Street east, to just past the Burger King restaurant. Interim City Administrator John Lund said during Wednesday night’s City Council meeting, that he spoke with the officials from the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, about being proactive in trying to help businesses affected by the impending road closure.

The City has discussed the waiving sign permits for businesses affected by the changes.
Lund said it appears right now, that once the road is blocked, a potential detour route in town, might be 10th Street, but that remains to be seen.

The Iowa DOT has said heavy traffic would be detoured during construction using Iowa 83, Iowa 173, Interstate 80, and U.S. 71. Mayor Dave Jones said he’s heard the DOT would route truck traffic to Highway 92, but that would still leave area residents, especially farmers, scrambling to find a way into and out of town.

Work on the project – which is expected to take about two-months – will begin later this spring or early summer. In other business, Councilman Chris Jimerson updated the Council on the coming e-recycling program. A electronics recycling trailer will be placed near the Atlantic Depot/Chamber offices on May 9th from 8-am until 4-p.m. The City’s Community Promotion Commission has agreed to fund half the $6,000 cost of the trailer, with Cass County agreed to pay for the other half.