Proposed bill allowing heavy loads on primary, nonprimary roads a concern for rural infrastructure, county engineer says

A proposed bill that would allow a permit to be issued by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) for hauling raw forestry product up to 130,000 pounds on primary and non-primary roads may pose a problem for rural infrastructure, said Henry County engineer Jake Hotchkiss.

Hotchkiss said the current bill, Senate File 184, sacrifices infrastructure and threatens public safety, and asked supervisors to reach out to their representatives to voice their concern about the proposed legislation.

'Our newer bridges can handle these loads, but it's the system in general and a large percentage weren't designed for that specific load,” Hotchkiss said during a Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, March 5. 'The burden of posting (the maximum weight limit) on all those additional bridges, not to mention you're adding increased loads on paved and gravel roads ... There's a larger burden and more wear and tear.”

Bridges that already have a posted maximum weight limit won't be affected, Hotchkiss said, adding that they currently only evaluate bridges for a load heavier than legal if a permit for a specific load is required.

If an oversized permit is requested through the county, the county evaluates the route and reroutes them if the bridges don't meet the weight requirements. With the IDOT issuing permits, the county will not have that oversight, which creates a liability issue, Hotchkiss said.

Hotchkiss said this bill would affect 120 bridges and cost the county $300 to $500 to rerate each bridge.

'Bridges that were built in the ‘50s were built at a different standard than today,” Hotchkiss said. '

Hotchkiss said any time legislation is proposed to permit heavier loads on nonprimary roads, there's a direct risk and cost per bridge for counties.

In other news, Hotchkiss said crews worked on roads last week, spot rocking on gravel roads and patching pavements.

The County Engineer's Office held a preconstruction meeting for the J20 bridge project today, Wednesday, March 6, and will hold a preconstruction meeting for the 260th Street grading project next week.