MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine will close Fletcher Avenue from Hershey Avenue to the top of the hill at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, due to the potential for a massive landslide that could result in the loss of life or property.
The closure will remain indefinite until the hazard mitigates itself or is removed by the property owner.
A large erosion channel was identified two-thirds of the way up the hill Wednesday morning on the west side of the road. Material had slid down the hill from this area with the amount of material and large trees in the area creating a dangerous situation should the hill give way.
“Now that we know about the danger, we are obligated to protect the travelling public from becoming trapped or blocked by a landslide,” Brian Stineman, Public Works Director, said. “Therefore we are taking this precaution.”
No timelines has been established for when the road will be reopened.
Drivers will need to seek an alternate route of travel until the hazard is mitigated.