Construction begins on Highway 169 Bridge in Humboldt
Workers with Hawkeye Paving from Bettendorf jackhammer the bridge deck late Monday afternoon on Highway 169 in Humboldt. The bridge project will take an estimated three weeks, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. Humboldt Independent photo.
Motorists will want to take a cautious approach when traveling on Highway 169 through Humboldt during the next three weeks.
Work began on Monday for an approach replacement and deck resurfacing project on the Highway 169 Bridge south of 3rd Avenue North in Humboldt.
Work will be done under regular traffic conditions, but the highway will be reduced from the normal four lanes to two lanes between now and Nov. 10, according to Pete Hjelmstad, field services coordinator for the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Mason City office.
“Work will include reworking both approaches along with deck repair. When the northbound lanes are completed, work will begin on the southbound lanes,” Hjelmstad said.
Hawkeye Paving Corp. of Bettendorf is the primary contractor for the project. The maintenance reconstruction was let for a total cost of $360,894.65.
“The timeline is weather permitting,” Hjelmstad noted.
The traveling public is urged to drive with caution. With field work in full swing, there is extra truck and farm implement travel on the highway, along with school busses and normal vehicles in traffic. The demarcation for two-lane traffic is marked by orange “Road Work Ahead” signage and traffic cones designating the lane of travel.
Motorists are reminded that all moving vehicle violations, not just speeding, are doubled when they occur in construction zones. Fines can be as high as $1,000.
