Supervisors deny request to upgrade road from dirt to gravel

FAIRFIELD – The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors voted not to approve a resident’s request to upgrade a county road from dirt to gravel.

The supervisors held a public hearing at their meeting Monday, May 12 on reclassifying a quarter-mile portion of Tamarack Avenue from a Level B road to a Level A road. Tamarack Avenue is in the southeastern part of the county, and connects Round Prairie Park to Glasgow Road.

A Level B road is dirt, and though it is bladed in the summer and winter, it is a lower priority for county staff to maintain than a Level A road, which is graveled and has ditches. Supervisor Lee Dimmitt said all property owners along this route agree with the proposal to upgrade it, and even though they would pay for the initial upgrade, the county would assume responsibility for future maintenance. Dimmitt said he did not see a reason to upgrade the road in light of the extra expenses the county would later incur.

“We’re looking at $40,000 to upgrade that road, and that does not include the cost of the rock,” Dimmitt said.

Dimmitt said the proposal to upgrade the road came from one individual, but that person has never appeared before the supervisors. Dimmitt said it’s not clear whether that person plans to build a residence on the road. If they did, Dimmitt said it would make sense to upgrade the road so that it could be accessed by emergency vehicles.

“But until there is an established residence on that road, I’m not willing to move forward,” Dimmitt said.

Supervisor Joe Ledger informed The Union that the person who requested the road upgrade was Mark Bontrager.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com