Roads department receives approval for bridge project, prepares for storm

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Roads Department receives approval for Iowa Avenue bridge replacement and prepares for a winter storm.

According to County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss, the bridge on Iowa Avenue in located just east of old 218 north of Salem stub.

Residence might know this bridge as the bridge on Iowa Avenue over Fish Creek.

“The funding agreement allows us to use 80% federal funds to build the bridge,” Hotchkiss said of the agreement approval. “The letting will be early spring with construction anticipated for late summer/fall.”

According to Hotchkiss, the project consists of replacing the existing bridge with a twin box concrete culvert.

In anticipation of impending snow, the roads department continues to prepare.

As early as last week, crews hauled sand from Fort Madison to assist in snow removal operations.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning effective Wednesday, Dec. 21 at midnight through Saturday, Dec. 24 at 6 a.m.

The warning anticipates “total snow accumulations of two to five inches,” accompanied by wind gusts as high as 50 mph.

“If confidence increases, the Winter Storm Warning may eventually be upgraded to a blizzard warning,” the storm warning stated as of Wednesday morning.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com