County finishes up two large construction projects

Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman recently shared his excitement that Fontanelle Road is back open.

The project, completed by Gus Construction with help from the county crews, had a goal of repairing and preventing further damage to the shoulder and foreslope, which is the area closest to the road.

Extending culverts in these areas allowed county crews to haul dirt in and properly shape the foreslopes to allow for a wider, safer roadway. Farm-to-Market dollars were used for this project that ended up costing just over $1.24 million.

All told, eight metal pipes were lined, seven box culverts were extended, two concrete pipes were repaired and one was replaced.

The project reached substantial completion Nov. 19 with Gus able to move out Nov. 10.

“I thought the project went very well,” Kauffman commented in an email to the newspaper. “We had a little rain at the beginning that created some issues, but after that, things went pretty smoothly.”

Another big project the county has been working on has also reached completion, and that is the bridge being replaced along Brown Avenue in Section 32 of Washington Township. The project has been paid for using federal dollars.

“Work will continue on the road, but traffic will be able to use the bridge as early as tomorrow,” Kauffman said on Thursday.

Tax increment financing (TIF) money will be used on four other upcoming projects and Farm-to-Market money will be used on another.

TIF projects coming up include an approximately $5 million resurfacing of Henry A. Wallace Road from the Union County line to Highway 92 next summer; a bridge replacement in Section 22 of Lee Township along Pinewood Avenue; a bridge replacement along 130th Street in Section 19 of Lincoln Township; and a box culvert installation in Section 26 of Lincoln Township just west of 140th Street on York Avenue.

Farm-to-Market money will be used for a box culvert project in Section 36 of Lee Township on 270th Street.