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County signs purchase agreements for bridge right-of-way, considers moving resurfacing timeline; utility permit requested for fiber
Summary
Supervisors approved purchase agreements for right-of-way on a short bridge replacement project, discussed moving a resurfacing project from fiscal 2028 to 2029 at a neighboring county's request, and reviewed a utility permit application for about a mile of fiber optic installation near Blairstown.
Benton County public-works staff reported several transportation and utility items during the May 20 meeting and obtained approval for owner purchase agreements needed for a short timber bridge replacement on 50 Second Street in Polk Township.
The road engineer said the project requires permanent and temporary easements from two adjacent property owners. The board approved staff to sign purchase agreements compensating owners for small permanent easement parcels (fractions of an acre) and temporary construction easements; total compensation amounts for each owner were presented in the packet and approved for chairman signature.
Separately, staff discussed a request from neighboring Buchanan County to move a 3-mile HMA resurfacing segment from fiscal year 2028 to fiscal year 2029 because Buchanan County27s farm-market funds are constrained. The board agreed to move the project from FY28 to FY29 and instructed staff to notify the Iowa Department of Transportation of the schedule change.
Finally, USA Communications requested a utility permit to install roughly a mile of fiber optic cable near Blairstown. Staff said the contractor and boring/electrical teams were coordinating with the county and that permitting and an inspection plan remain to be finalized.
The board approved the various right-of-way purchase agreements and instructed public-works staff to follow up with contract processing, DOT notification for the resurfacing schedule adjustment and to continue coordinating utility-permit inspection details with applicants.
