Supervisors reject asphalt resurfacing project on Dorchester Drive during Monday's regular session

by Bob Beach

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met again with Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour during its regular meeting Monday, August 6 to discuss the resurfacing of a portion of Dorchester Drive to avoid potential access problems for a new hog confinement constructed on Washington Road. Ridenour recommended a two-inch asphalt overlay on Dorchester Drive up to Washington Road, which would eliminate the need for a springtime weight embargo on the road, saying that the project would “avoid more expensive damage in the future.”
The Board, however, disagreed.
“We can’t build a major road project for every hog facility that goes up,” said Board Chairman Larry Schellhammer. “Let’s go ahead and embargo it and let them figure out how to get access.”
Supervisor Sherry Strub agreed with Schellhammer, pointing out that the owners of the confinement simply assumed that the County would ensure year-round access to the facility.
“A two-inch overlay doesn’t do much,” said Supervisor Lennie Burke. “I still have concerns about the hill and I think we should get something into the five-year plan to address both issues.”
Supervisor Schellhammer asked Ridenour to draft a letter to be sent to developers of future confinements requesting that the County have input with regard to access issues prior to construction.
In other business, the Board signed a federal aid agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for the replacement of Irish Hollow Bridge and approved the contract and bond with Brennan Construction for the Brady Drive bridge project. The Board approved a resolution to vacate a portion of the public highway easement on Collins Ridge Road and set August 20 at 9:30 a.m. as the date and time to open bids for repairs to Mineral Creek Bridge. The Board also accepted and placed on file the Sheriff’s annual report.