Local officials are concerned about the Trout Hatchery intersection

When RAGBRAI bikers came to town last Friday, city, county and state officials in the Decorah area say there were several "close calls" between drivers and bike riders at the intersection of Trout Run Road and Siewers Spring Road.

The intersection not only handles cars and trucks heading to the Decorah Fish Hatchery, but also bike riders and pedestrians on the Trout Run Trail, as well as vehicular traffic going between Middle Calmar Road and Highway 9.

Members of the 28e Trails Committee this week spent time discussing what could be done at the intersection before a serious accident happens between cars and bike riders, for instance.  Among the options being discussed are a speed bump to force vehicles to stop; flashing red lights warning both drivers and trail users about the intersection and speed enforcement by law enforcement officers along the road.

The trails committee members say that some of what they saw last weekend worried them--and they'd like to take steps to make the intersection safer.