Thank Biden for highway funds

During the first two years of the Biden administration, the American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act successfully passed through congress. President Joe Biden signed them into law.

As a result of these two bills, $7,489,370 has been delivered to Iowa County.

The $3,141,902.40 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act helped pay for the resurfacing of 5.69 miles Highway 149 from the Keokuk County line up to County Road V66.

In other words, Highway 149 was resurfaced with hot mix asphalt from North English about halfway north to Williamsburg.

The Iowa Department of Transportation uses multiple factors to determine which highways are resurfaced. Three of those factors are the International Ride Index (how smooth is the road?), the Pavement Condition Index (what is the overall health of the road?) and crash history (how many crashes, serious injuries and fatalities have occurred?).

The aforementioned segment of 149 had high numbers for smoothness and overall health. (High numbers are not good.) In addition, between 2016-2021, twenty five vehicle crashes occurred.

While this number is not atypical, one crash included a fatality, and two crashes involved suspected serious injuries. Crash information warrants extra attention.

The Highway 149 resurfacing project was completed in 2023 and benefits Iowa County residents.Thanks to the Biden administration for delivering this money to Iowa County.

Note: Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Senator Joni Ernst voted no for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.