Washington roadwork moves along, still unfinished

WASHINGTON — County officials say the road construction along Lexington Boulevard and West Fifth Street has made progress, but still has around two weeks to go.

“Mainline paving is complete on the West Fifth Street and Lexington Boulevard project, however the roads are still closed to through traffic while the contractor completes necessary work,” an announcement from the county said. “The contractor will be working on pouring driveways … Local traffic, please continue to use caution while driving in the work zone.”

County Engineer Jacob Thorius stressed that unnecessary traffic posed a risk to both cars and the road itself.

“We’ve actually had concrete damaged because people were driving out there, so the contractor has to eat that cost, because people were driving where they didn’t need to be,” he said at a meeting on Tuesday. “It’s for the safety of everybody because there is no shoulder there, there’s a six-inch drop off. Somebody dropped off by the sheriff’s office last night.”

Thorius also stressed that the benefits outweighed the wait on the road.

“It’ll be done soon,” he said. “We’re sorry for the inconvenience, but it’s better than it was.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com