Henry County road work continues

The bridge near 220th Street and Nebraska Avenue is closed and will remain so for the next four months.

MT. PLEASANT — As June comes to an end, road work is making significant progress around Henry County.

Road crews have completed preparations for the large culvert replacement on 275th Street.

Many entrances were replaced on Franklin Avenue in anticipation of laying new asphalt.

The roads department wrapped up hauling rock for the 170th Street shoulder pull.

Spraying for noxious weeds continues, and as a weeds preventative measure the department is adding stone to shoulders.

Residents who feel like they are on an unending cycle of mowing their lawns can take some solace in knowing that the roads department is stuck in the cycle right alongside them.

Mowing along the gravel roads is rounding off just in time for crews to begin mowing around the paved roads again.

Part of the rapid grass growth could be blamed on the large quantities of rain, however, it should be noted that this rain also has been immeasurably helpful in the roads department’s dust control efforts.

Those traveling gravel roads are reminded that the speed limit is the maximum, but when on gravel drivers should adjust their speed according to the varied states of gravel.

“If the roads are dry and dust is a problem, no one should be driving 55,” Henry County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss said.

W55 north remains closed to traffic North of Wayland.

The grading contractor for the W55 project has completed rough grading, placing topsoil, and installing erosion control.

Erosion stone, Rip-Rap, and silt fence are being used to manage vegetation and soil loss in this area.

Work continues, but at a reasonable rate.

Monday, the roads department finished the milling operation for W55 south from Trenton to Highway 78, and worked on placing HMA and milling along Highway 78 to complete a better transition between the two segments of road.

The plan is to begin placing Interlayer later this week or early next.

Bridge 105 Winfield Avenue culvert replacement continues to keep the road closed.

The contractor poured a portion of the barrel section today and plans to continue pouring the last footing later this week.

With construction continuing throughout the county, Hotchkiss reminds drivers to drive cautiously and plan for delays.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com