Henry County Roads Update

MT. PLEASANT — The sun is shining, the weather is beautiful, and in Iowa, that means roads are under construction across the state.

Work continues on W55 in Wayland.

According to Henry County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss, the box culvert for the project is nearing completion.

This means grading will continue as soon as the culvert is complete.

Hotchkiss anticipates a few weeks of grading work at that point followed by the asphalt crews.

The work is currently on schedule, but weather always has the possibility of pushing schedules backward.

Continue to follow detours and plan additional travel time as necessary.

Another project just began on 170th street going west toward Trenton.

Crews are reshaping the road top, correcting the cross section, and laying heavier weight rock to rebuild this road top.

Not all projects are remain in the working phase, though.

The roads department already replaced crossroad pipe and completed minor ditching up the hill on Hightower Road.

“I think we’re in pretty good shape,” Hotchkiss said of Henry County roads overall.

The gravel roads appear to be holding up well thanks to the respite from rain the past week, but Hotchkiss reminds residents that gravel could always become sloppier if the county gets more soaking rain like before.

Hotchkiss, however, assures residents that the roads department will continue blading and spotting rock as needed to maintain Henry County gravel road standards.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com