Construction season continues across Sioux County, with the county engineer updating supervisors Tuesday on several major road, bridge and flood recovery projects—including an explanation for why work on the B-40 concrete overlay has taken longer than many motorists expected.
Sioux County Engineer Joel Sikkema said the concrete paving portion of the B-40 project was completed quickly, but shoulder work has progressed more slowly than anticipated.
“The paving got done very quickly, like much more quickly than we anticipated. The shouldering is taking longer, but they still have plenty of working days left to do the work,” Sikkema said.
Sikkema acknowledged the county has received feedback from residents about the extended closure but noted the contractor remains within the allotted contract working days.
He said contractors have been balancing multiple projects across Sioux County during the construction season and that recent rainfall, while beneficial for farmers, has also slowed construction progress.
Harrison Avenue Nearing Completion
Elsewhere, Sikkema reported that shouldering work has been completed on the Harrison Avenue concrete paving project. The road will reopen after seeding, pavement striping, and installing signs are completed.
Boyden Shop Project Moves Forward
Supervisors also approved plans and specifications for a new secondary roads maintenance shop south of Boyden. The project is scheduled to be let for bids on July 28.
Highway 60 Bridge Project Planned for 2027
The board also approved a pre-construction agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for a bridge replacement project on Highway 60. The project will require the temporary closure of 500th Street while traffic is shifted onto one side of the highway during construction. The work is expected to occur in 2027.
Flood Recovery Continues
Sikkema also updated supervisors on ongoing recovery efforts from the 2024 flooding.
Repairs to the bridge on Dipper Avenue have been completed, and the bridge has reopened to traffic. Two bridges northwest of Rock Valley remain under environmental and historic preservation review before construction can begin. Plans also call for replacing the temporary railroad tanker-car crossing next summer.
