Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
County Engineer outlines strategic road improvements plan
Illustrative project take a backseat as the secondary roads department focuses on the next two years of the five-year plan.
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT — Under the leadership of Henry County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss, the secondary roads department methodically plans road improvements with the next five years in mind. While doing this, Hotchkiss works to balance ambitious projects with fiscal realities.
With 550 miles of gravel roads and 120 miles of paved surfaces, the county’s transportation infrastructure requires this kind of careful, strategic management of limited resources.
The five-year Secondary Roads Construction Program presented by Hotchkiss at the March 27 Board of Supervisors meeting lays out $24.7 million in infrastructure needs through 2030. Hotchkiss made it clear: the county can’t afford all of it.
With not all of the money is secured, and not all of these projects are guaranteed, Hotchkiss told the supervisors, “Think of it as really $13 million, because we have around $11 million that is illustrative.”
The illustrative projects making up approximately $11 million of the projected need for the five-year plan do represent infrastructure needs, but if the county does not secure funding via grants or additional revenue those project will not move forward in the time frame presented.
These illustrative projects generally fall beyond 2027. These include pavement work on Racine Avenue and J20 near Salem.
“We’ve identified these as needs,” Hotchkiss said. “Whenever there’s a grant opportunity, these are the two projects I’m pushing.”
Annual income for the secondary road system hovers around $7.3 million, with the largest share — 48.1% — coming from the Road Use Tax Fund. Other contributors include designated construction funds (23.4%), farm-to-market allocations (14.5%), property tax revenue (20%), and federal bridge funds (8.3%).
The county’s ability to fund projects is tightly tied to its bridge and farm-to-market fund balances.
“The farm-to-market account is really what drives what we can do,” Hotchkiss explained. “We have the ability to borrow four years ahead.”
Despite funding questions for projects further in the future, several priority projects are scheduled for the next two years, including reconstruction of Franklin Avenue and the Iowa Avenue Bridge north of Mt. Pleasant. The county is applying again for a Miller-Meeks Community Project Grant to help offset Franklin Avenue’s estimated $2.5 million cost.
Other significant efforts include work on 170th Street, the Lexington Bridge, and a box culvert installation on Fremont Avenue. Many of these projects use creative approaches — such as tank car culverts on low-volume roads — to reduce costs.
Maintaining 550 miles of gravel roads presents its own challenges. Hotchkiss outlined the balance between preventative maintenance and budget constraints.
“If we don’t blade these roads, you get a lot more wheel tracks,” he said, explaining that dry conditions make blading even more critical.
While the county continues to offer dust control services to those that file applications, the fee has raised questions from some requesting the service. fees. According to Hotchkiss the $25 dust control application fee goes toward preparing road surfaces, including special blading trips.
"It's actually more work for us to blade up to a dust control, back that material off, and then start back up again," he explained.
Despite rising costs for rock and materials, Hotchkiss said the county has preserved its maintenance standards — so far.
“We have been fortunate … but if we don’t see something change down the line, that may be a factor,” he told the supervisors.
Upon questions from the supervisors, Hotchkiss also noted the need to replace the county’s outdated maintenance shop, built in 1968. The current building doesn’t accommodate modern equipment and limits the mechanics’ ability to service large vehicles efficiently. The cost for this project would likely come from other sources, however, and is not included in the five-year road improvement plan.
Hotchkiss encouraged residents to stay informed and involved in the planning process.
“If anybody has questions or concerns, feel free to stop in,” he said. “It’s not top secret.”
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
