Franklin Avenue to close for rest of 2024

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss asks for patience from those using Franklin Avenue as work on the $4.8 million roadway project will begin Monday, April 22 and last through the year.

According to the engineer’s office, the first phase of the project will consist of work to the stretch of roadway from the Skunk River bridge at Oakland Mills south to Jackson Street in Salem. The work will include replacing culverts and shoulder widening and will begin on the south end of the project from Salem to 300th Street.

“That will make Franklin Avenue a road that everyone should avoid,” Hotchkiss said. “We’re going to be asking people to avoid the area as much as possible to help the contractors and just for safety.”

A detour will be in place during the entirety of the project, according to Hotchkiss. Motorist will travel east out of Salem, north on Highway 218 and west on Highway 34 as a general detour for construction. However, travelers should watch carefully for detours throughout the project as Hotchkiss says the plan is to close Franklin Avenue in sections as there are many secondary roads along the way.

  Buy Photo

Hotchkiss advises those leaving or entering Oakland Mills Park during the construction project on Franklin Avenue should leave and enter the park and head north.

“The road will be closed down completely at times and then it’ll be open in other areas,” Hotchkiss said. “So, you will have a lot of gravel roads going on.”

While the goal is to complete the work by the end of 2024, Hotchkiss says the will depend greatly on weather especially considering just how many working days will need to go into the project.

“A lot of people want to know when it is going to be done,” Hotchkiss said. “Well, there is no concrete date because there are so many factors.”

According to Hotchkiss, if the weather does not cooperate, the project, which he called extensive, could continue into next year.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com