As two new businesses are planning to build facilities in Perry soon, Administrator Sven Peterson is wanting to update the safety protocols out on the intersection of Highway 141 and Willis Avenue, as more traffic will be coming through the area.

Peterson says the city is seeking opportunities to apply for state funding to invest in infrastructure improvements. He mentions that a portion of that money will be utilized to pave “L Avenue,” in order to bring water and sewer needs to that. Also, Peterson reveals that more traffic is going to be along the intersection of Highway 141 and Willis Avenue with the additions of the two new companies of A.D.R. Axles and JBS USA, which are scheduled to open sometime in 2026. 

Peterson outlines it’s become busier in that area with the volume of vehicles coming in and out of the Casey’s store and the growth of Percival Scientific. He shares that state funding will allow the city to decide whether to put a traffic light or some safety measure at that intersection. Peterson admits that he gets nervous driving that stretch of road.

“I drive by that intersection several times a day and my stomach kind of turns every time I turn a corner or come around on the highway of ‘is today going to be the day.’”

Peterson knows there’s already a high amount of crashes that have happened at that intersection, and believes there should be a safety measure of some sort, especially with A.D.R. Axles and JBS USA putting their plants in the Industrial Park, which will add to the volume of vehicles.