The Iowa Department of Transportation is proposing bridge replacements between Washington and Brighton. The replacements would be on Iowa 1 over the Skunk River and over the West Fork of Crooked Creek. The DOT will hold an informational public meeting to discuss these projects on Thursday, July 18th from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Washington High School. These projects would be conducted in 2017. Also, according to WEDG, other DOT planned projects in Washington County include:
2014 – US 218 Bridge Replacement over Crooked Creek, south of Crawfordsville, $1.6M
2015 – Hwy 22 Bridge Replacement in Kalona, $1,2M
2015 – Hwy 92 Bridge Deck Overlay on South Long Creek, between Washington and Ainsworth, $300k
The improvements include replacing the bridges, reconstructing bridge approaches and installing guardrail; the DOT intends to construct both bridge projects at the same time. Iowa 1 is proposed to be closed to through traffic between Brighton and Washington during construction. The designated detour would use Iowa 92, Washington County roads W-55 and W-47, and Iowa 78.
The Skunk River bridge replacement project will require the acquisition of right of way from Brighton Boat Access, a public recreational facility owned by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and managed by the Washington County Conservation Board. The entrance road to the access will be relocated as part of this proposed project. During construction, a temporary entrance to the boat access will remain open.
The Brighton Boat Access has been determined to be a Section 4(f) resource and the acquisition of right of way and entrance road relocation is expected to have a “de minimis” impact to the Section 4(f) resource.
Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966, was enacted as a means of protecting publicly owned parks, recreation areas and wildlife/waterfowl refuges, as well as historic sites of local, state or national significance, from conversion to transportation uses. De minimis impacts are defined as those that, after consideration of any measure(s) to minimize harm (such as avoidance, minimization, mitigation or enhancement measures), do not adversely affect the activities, features and attributes of the Section 4(f) resource.
The public is invited to review the proposed impacts of the Skunk River bridge project on the Brighton Boat Access by:
· Visiting http://www.iowadot.gov/pim.
· Mailing a request for information to Jorge Zamora, Office of Location and Environment, Iowa Department of Transportation, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010.
· Calling 515-239-1251 to request information.
· Emailing a request for information tojorge.zamora@dot.iowa.gov.
The public comment period ends July 29, 2013. Comments may be submitted through the online comment form at the above website, via email to jorge.zamora@dot.iowa.gov, or by mail to the address listed above.
Iowa DOT staff will be present to informally discuss the projects; no formal presentation will be made.
Interpreter services will be provided for Spanish translation. The meeting space is accessible for persons with disabilities. However, if you require special accommodations at the meeting, please notify the Iowa DOT contact listed below by July 11.
For general information regarding the proposed improvements or public meeting, contact Jason Huddle, transportation planner, Iowa DOT District 5 Office, 307 W. Briggs, Fairfield, Iowa 52556, telephone 641-472-4171 or 800-766-4368, email jason.huddle@dot.iowa.gov.