Washington County recognized for Riverside Road

Washington County Secondary Roads received a 2020 American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) National Lifetime Pavement Recognition Award for the long-term performance of W61, Riverside Road, at the 58th Annual Iowa Concrete Paving Association Workshop held in Des Moines Feb. 2-4 of this year.

The award is presented by the ACPA to an agency/owner of an in-service concrete pavement that has demonstrated exceptional performance for its state, community and local users.

Washington County Engineer Jacob Thorius accepted the award on behalf of the county, saying it was a direct result of his predecessors choosing a pavement they knew would last.

The original 14-mile pavement on Riverside Road was 6 inches thick and 20 feet wide in 1962-63. It withstood the test of time, traffic and weather, a reminder of Washington County’s long tradition of paving roads with concrete. The 32-foot-wide, 6 inch thick concrete overlays placed on the Riverside Road in 2018 and 2021 further underscore Washington County’s tradition of prudent rehabilitation decisions, and cements the possibility of 100 years or more of service with minimal repairs and great value to the county.

Approximately a half mile of the original pavement placed in 1963 north of 130th Street is still in service and a testament to the pavement’s durability and longevity.

“Longevity is something I continue to strive for when building new or rehabilitating our existing pavements,” Thorius said. “The longer we can get a pavement to last, the better it is for the citizens of Washington County.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com