Engineer says bridge is closed on Henry/Des Moines County line road

By BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

Jake Hotchkiss was the lone presenter during the Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, May 26, and announced a recent bridge closure in the county.

According to Hotchkiss, Des Moines County has closed a bridge on the Henry/Des Moines County line road, north of Mediapolis blacktop.

?The existing structure there is being replaced with a precast box culvert,? Hotchkiss explained.

Henry and Des Moines County are both funding the project. However, Des Moines County is doing the work.

At this time, Hotchkiss is not aware of when the work is slated to be finished, or when the bridge will be open again. However, weather will likely play a major factor in the project?s completion.

Also being guided by weather conditions is the county?s hauling of spot rock. Hotchkiss? crews have been hauling rock as weather permits, but Hotchkiss says rain in this week?s forecast may slow the process down.

Hotchkiss also announced during the meeting that his office is still accepting applications for an open equipment operator position until June 1. Those wishing to obtain an application should visit the county website or stop by the Henry County Engineer?s Office.

The last major item of business to come before the Henry County Board of Supervisors included two permits seeking official approval.

?Windstream has a utility permit in need of approval,? said Hotchkiss. ?It concerns Old Highway 34, west of Benton Avenue. The project there is off the right-of-way quite a distance, so I have no issues with it at this time.?

The second permit brought before the board included a sanitary sewer outlet on Logan Avenue, north of Mt. Pleasant.

The board of supervisors approved both permits unanimously.

There were no subcommittee reports to discuss.

The next Henry County Supervisors meeting will be Thursday, May 28, at 9 a.m., in the Henry County Courthouse. All meetings are open to the public.