Construction continues in Henry County

MT. PLEASANT — During his weekly update to the Henry County Board of Supervisors, County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss conveyed information on maintaining gravel roads, working on the Lowell Hill and Oasis and starting epoxy injection work on J20.

“We were able to get a good weeks’ worth of blading last week of our gravel roads, and they need it,” Hotchkiss said. “We will keep an eye on moisture, but with that moisture out there, it’s been nice to get some road restored.”

On the North side of the Lowell Hill project, “Norris Asphalt placed part of the base last week,” however, “Friday last week we got rained out and we let it set over the weekend,” Hotchkiss stated as he updated the board on county road construction.

As of Tuesday morning, however, Norris was able to begin work again.

“Hopefully we’ll have the asphalt tentatively placed this week,” Hotchkiss said. “We still have a lot of work to do out there yet. They’ve got to shoulder it. That'll probably be next week. And then we'll be working on seeding and some final touch ups out there.”

“So, the end is in sight,” he said. “That said, it will still probably be at least another full week before we even can consider opening it up at this point.”

Base One work began on Oasis Avenue from 170th Street south a quarter of a mile.

“And during that operation we do close the road through traffic,” Hotchkiss said. “ … Residents that live there do have access.”

According to Hotchkiss this process includes mixing the previously laid rock with a grinder and liquid before laying it back down. After kneading the material crews will run a rubber-tired roller over the stretch of road to begin to rebuild the road base.

Crews will then do a final blade on the road and roll it down to smooth.

From Aug. 18-17 work will begin on the epoxy injections on J20 resulting in the road going down to one lane traffic.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com