By Rachel M. Brenner
Investigative Correspondent | River City Ledger | July 5, 2025
What was once considered one of Keokuk’s busiest connector roads is now the subject of growing public frustration.
The South 18th Street improvement project—billed as a modernization effort to “calm traffic” and improve walkability—has instead become a headache for residents, first responders, and commuters. The project, which narrowed the heavily traveled thoroughfare and reduced on-street parking, has sparked questions about city planning priorities and whether public safety was sacrificed for aesthetics.
A Main Artery, Now a Bottleneck
South 18th Street connects the heart of Keokuk—from Main Street all the way to the city cemetery. It’s a key north-south artery used by school buses, utility vehicles, funeral processions, and daily commuters.
But now, drivers say the newly narrowed roadway has turned a once-fluid commute into a game of stop-and-go chicken.
“If a car is coming from the opposite direction, one of you has to pull over and wait. It’s that simple—and that frustrating,” said Carol Jennings, a resident of the area. “There’s just not enough room for two vehicles to pass safely anymore.”
And she’s not wrong.
The redesigned street now features a single parking lane along one side, but even with that, the remaining drivable space is so constricted that two standard vehicles cannot comfortably pass each other without slowing or stopping. For residents, it feels like a forced compromise—and a dangerous one at that.
Public Safety Concerns Mount
Keokuk’s emergency responders, though largely quiet on the matter publicly, are reportedly frustrated as well. One former firefighter, speaking on condition of anonymity, told River City Ledger that the redesign could pose serious problems for ambulances or fire trucks navigating tight conditions, especially during snow season or in emergencies.
“You lose seconds in tight quarters—and seconds matter,” the source said.
Funeral processions to the cemetery, which often involve coordinated vehicle movements and slow pacing, have also been impacted.
“I had to pull over on someone’s lawn just to let a procession go through,” said one driver. “It’s disrespectful to the families, and it’s avoidable.”
What Was the Goal?
City officials have said the changes were intended to calm traffic, improve pedestrian safety, and encourage a more modern, neighborhood-friendly street design. But critics argue that South 18th isn’t a side street—it’s a critical conduit for the city.
“The city wants to treat this road like it’s a quiet cul-de-sac,” said James Bolton, a retired civil engineer who attended a recent council meeting. “But it’s a high-volume connector that serves a functional purpose. This redesign ignores that.”
No formal traffic study or emergency response audit has been publicly released in conjunction with the project. Multiple residents say they were unaware of the narrowing plans until construction began.
“It felt like it happened overnight,” said Margaret Ellis, who’s lived on South 18th for 22 years. “No flyers, no town hall meeting. Just cones, workers, and confusion.”
Reduced Parking, Increased Tension
The loss of street parking has added another layer of frustration. Residents on the no-parking side of the street now struggle with guests, deliveries, and even their own vehicles.
“You try moving a couch into a home when the truck has nowhere to park and there’s not enough space for traffic to get around,” said one delivery driver. “It’s a mess.”
In a city where not all homes have driveways or garages, losing half the available street parking feels like a blow—especially to families with multiple vehicles or limited mobility.
Where’s the Oversight?
Requests for comment from the city’s engineering department and mayor’s office were not returned as of press time. The city council’s public records show little debate or documentation regarding the decision to narrow South 18th—leaving many residents feeling shut out of the process.
“This wasn’t just a poor design choice,” said local advocate Lisa Moore. “It was a failure of communication, transparency, and leadership.”
What’s Next?
Residents are now circulating a petition calling for the city to reassess the South 18th Street changes, with some advocating for a partial reversal or complete redesign.
In the meantime, Keokuk drivers will continue their daily stop-and-wait routines, inching past each other on a street that no longer seems to serve its purpose.
“This isn’t safer,” Carol Jennings added. “It’s slower, riskier, and more frustrating. And we deserve better.”
📩 Got a tip about the South 18th Street project or another city infrastructure issue?
Email Rachel confidentially at rachel.brenner@mail.com
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