Another phase of the project gets underway ...

Milling of the existing pavement on portions of Iowa Highways 9 and 76 through Waukon began to take place this past week, such as the milling process pictured above that cut away a four-inch depth of pavement on West Main Street from its intersection with Second Street all the way to the four-way stop sign intersection with Ninth Street near Quillin’s. Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) District 2 Field Services Coordinator Pete Hjelmstad said the plan is to begin the overlay paving process on that West Main Street portion of the project sometime this week, depending upon weather conditions. Hjelmstad also said the contractor will also be working on paving the roadway shoulders from the south junction of Iowa 9 and 76 (near Bodensteiner Implement) heading north into Waukon. The smaller unfinished sidewalk areas also continue to be worked on to further facilitate completion of the paving project, which is still scheduled to be completed by the end of October, according to Hjelmstad and his correspondence with the project contractor. Hjelmstad also advised the traveling public to be aware of traffic patterns that could change from day to day or even hour to hour as the paving contractor moves throughout town, with single-lane closures and a flagger/pilot car system continuing to be used throughout the paving process. Project officials have also expressed their appreciation for the continued patience and understanding of those traversing the project roadways as the project nears its final phases. Standard photo by Joe Moses.