Construction slows, but work continues

MT. PLEASANT — While a majority of road construction season in Henry County seems to have wrapped up for the season, County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss says crews remain busy.

“Last week, our operators were working on blading roads with that moisture that we had, and they continue this week as well,” Hotchkiss said.

According to Hotchkiss, crews also accomplished concrete patching Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on Oasis Avenue.

These smaller concrete projects have been at the mercy of Ideal Ready Mix’s ability to work the county’s small quantity needs into their busy schedules, which Hotchkiss says “ … is not a huge deal, it just takes a little more planning.”

This week, Hotchkiss says crews will work on full patches between Salem Road and Highway 218. These will take approximately four days as they are spread over both lanes.

In preparation for the winter, crews have teamed up with someone from Jefferson County to use their unit for Dura patches used for deep holes in the pavement around Henry County.

Grout Scouts continue to work on several culverts on Franklin Avenue north of 235th Street.

“We’ve been making some good progress …” Hotchkiss said. “So, when it rains now, we should be able to get the water to move where it needs to move and then we’ll work hard addressing the rest of those ditches as we go.”

According to Hotchkiss, Iowa Bridge and Culvert will be working on a culvert extension on J20 near Lexington Avenue this week into next.

While this will not result in a road closure, Hotchkiss says motorists should keep their eyes peeled for Work Ahead signs.

“We don't expect there being traffic delays,” Hotchkiss said. “They should be able to do all the work off the right of way or off the road.”

Beginning late next week or possibly the week after, Hotchkiss says other work by Iowa Bridge and Culvert will close Marsh Avenue for approximately a week as they repair some wings for the county.

“There are some good routes around there that it shouldn’t be a major inconvenience, but it will probably impact traffic a little bit,” Hotchkiss said.

This project will be located north of 120th Street on a small bridge near the Shellman Farms.

According to Hotchkiss a little hole opened up on the road top that lets water or let material go through.

“So, we'll repair that, and then we'll have some work and we're going to do some ditching in there,” Hotchkiss explained.

According to Hotchkiss, the bridge is in good shape, but the wings are wood piling and are starting to fail.

Scheduling this project depends primarily on Iowa Bridge and Culverts schedule and weather.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com