Supervisors approve easements for 30 Second Avenue bridge and preconstruction work with DOT for Highway 30 turn lanes

Benton County supervisors approved purchase agreements to secure right‑of‑way for a bridge replacement on 30 Second Avenue and authorized a preconstruction agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation for turn‑lane work on Highway 30 that will require county funding to move intersection lighting.

County staff described two property purchases needed for the 30 Second Avenue bridge project in Florence Township. The purchases were small parcels and temporary construction easements: Russ and Kim Marcus (about 1,115 square feet plus temporary easement for materials storage) and Kent and Jolene Groff (about 9,405 square feet of permanent easement plus 2,437 square feet of temporary easement). Staff told the board the Marcus payment totaled $2,900 including fence and landscaping compensation and the Groff payment totaled $1,440 (combined amounts as presented to the board).

Supervisors voted to approve the purchase agreements and to notarize the signatures required for closing.

Separately, county staff described a DOT project to add right‑turn lanes on Highway 30 at the approaches for 30 Second and 30 Third avenues. The DOT offered to relocate two traffic poles/pedestals that sit in areas that will be affected by construction but stated the county would be responsible for the county’s portion of the work to remove existing bases and reinstall the signals. DOT’s estimated cost to remove old footings, install new footings and refit two signal poles — including 5 new LED fixtures — was $22,207.23. The board approved entering the preconstruction agreement with DOT and authorized the chairman to sign.

Why it matters: The bridge replacement and Highway 30 safety improvements are county road projects that require negotiated right‑of‑way purchases and coordination with DOT. The preconstruction agreement commits county funds to restore traffic signal poles that DOT must temporarily remove or relocate for the state construction project.

Supervisors also approved a separate road‑closure resolution (Resolution No. 25‑8) to temporarily close a county road for a bridge replacement project later in the season; the board authorized the closure and the contractor’s planned work window.

Next steps: Staff will finalize closings on the 30 Second Avenue easements, continue to coordinate with DOT on construction scheduling, and proceed with the contractor’s timetable once permits and preconstruction tasks are complete.