The City of Winfield has started a petition to add shoulder extensions in an upcoming highway construction project.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has scheduled construction on Highway 78 from west of Highway 218 to Winfield for resurfacing and addition of a centerline and shoulder rumble strips. Winfield Mayor Willie Bender expresses why the city wishes for a shoulder extension, “This section of the road is prone to have cars in the ditch. I’ve often seen cars with simple car troubles like a flat tire and they have nowhere to go. They’re still on the road trying to fix a car tire while motorists, as long as they are paying attention, they can safely avoid it. If you ever had a distracted driver, it would be a very bad incident that could happen.”

DOT District 5 Transportation Planner Hector Torres-Cacho tells KCII the existing two-foot-wide shoulder does not allow room to build upon and widening would require more shoulder construction which would shift the current configuration of the existing ditches and may require additional right of way and extending culverts. The final design for the planned improvements is anticipated to be done in the next month. This section of construction is one of three areas to undergo construction on Highway 78 with all three projects spanning 20 miles in total. The 2022-2026 Five Year Highway Program shows about $11.5 million have been programmed for the projects along Highway 78. Torres-Cacho says the DOT welcomes public comment on any of their projects and upon receiving the petition they will work with the city to address their concerns. The City of Winfield has copies of their petition at city hall, and other businesses which you can find here.