WATERLOO -- More than a decade has passed since intense public opposition scuttled plans for traffic signals at Hammond and Ridgeway avenues.

Not much has changed today.

A vocal majority of neighborhood residents attending a 90-minute public informational meeting Tuesday at Crossroads Assembly of God Church said they are against a renewed proposal to install left-turn lanes and traffic signals at the busy intersection using a $400,000 state grant to reduce traffic delays and exhaust emissions from idling cars.

"I've lived in this neighborhood for 17 years, and never once have I come to that intersection and wished I had a light," said Sharon Free, whose comment was met with rowdy applause from many of the 75 people in attendance.

Although they were outnumbered, several residents did speak in favor or the signals or noted they were still on the fence.

"Thousands and thousands of people are inconvenienced there every day," said Dick Meyerhoff, who battled unsuccessfully for the light in 1997. "You don't own the street."

Consultants Snyder & Associates are currently preparing a preliminary design for the intersection, which would be constructed this summer along with the previously planned reconstruction of Ridgeway Avenue. But the Iowa Department of Transportation must still approve the plans, and the City Council must hold a formal public hearing and vote the project up or down.

Darin Ligtenberg, an engineer with Snyder & Associates, said the turning lanes and traffic signals will move traffic through the intersection more smoothly, with fewer delays, and can account for peak hours when nearby GMAC Mortgage changes shifts or Kittrell School lets out for the day.

"The traffic signal will help it … operate at its maximum capacity and efficiency for the traveling public," Ligtenberg said. "But everybody has different tolerances when it comes to inconveniences."

The chief concerns raised in opposition to the plans involved higher speeds because all traffic won't need to stop, which could result in more accidents; skepticism that traffic will not back up and block driveways; and spending money to resolve a problem some say lasts only 20 minutes a day, which traffic volumes peak.

City Traffic Engineer Mohammad Elahi said traffic counts have been plugged into computer modeling programs using scientific methods, which indicate the signals will reduce stacking and provide open gaps for residents to get out of driveways and onto the street.

"Our simulation shows the queues, the number of cars backed up at the light, will not be as much," he said, drawing shouts of disagreement from some in the audience. "With the stop signs it's a game of chicken with four people who get there."

Many other residents said the problem could be resolved but opening up additional roads to San Marnan Drive, relieving traffic on Hammond, or by training GMAC workers to use other routes.

Several council members attended the meeting and got a good idea of why a $70,000 grant to install signals in 1997 was returned to the IDOT unused. But Ward 2 Councilwoman Carolyn Cole and Ward 1 Councilman Reggie Schmitt expressed frustration that specific concerns weren't put on the table for discussion.

"We need to get to the facts of why it won't work," Schmitt said.

Mayor Tim Hurley said residents will be notified before the project is on a City Council agenda.

"Has the council already made up their minds? Absolutely not," he said. "It's great that there's so much interest in this. We know this is an issue and the only way to work through it is to work together."

Contact Tim Jamison at (319) 291-1577 or tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.