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Winneshiek County moves forward with RAISE grant application for W 14 South of Fort Atkinson; engineer lists $2.5M estimate and 72% federal share
Summary
County engineers briefed supervisors on a multi-county RAISE grant application for a W 14 corridor project, describing a roughly $2.5 million project cost, a roughly 72% grant share and a 28E intergovernmental agreement the board approved to allow five counties to submit a joint application.
County Engineer Mike Cutie told the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 6 that the county is a finalist for a RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant and must finalize an intergovernmental 28E agreement to submit a joint application covering W 14 south of Fort Atkinson.
The application covers two main elements, Cutie said: replacing or extending a structure that functions as a culvert and placing a pavement overlay. "We estimate, roughly $2,500,000 as a project cost," Cutie said. He said roughly 72% of that cost would be covered by the RAISE grant, leaving a local match of about 28%.
Cutie said the county worked with a consultant and "we became finalists" in recent weeks and that Marion County is leading the paperwork for a five-county package. He told the board that grant writers asked for final materials within the next few weeks, and the county must submit paperwork by the deadline provided to the lead consultant.
Why it matters: the grant would cover most of the project and reduce the county's out-of-pocket cost for a corridor project that could affect maintenance programming and other projects. Cutie warned supervisors that using local "farm-to-market" funds to cover the match could require moving other programmed projects later in the county's five-year plan.
Board members pressed staff on funding and scheduling. A supervisor asked whether farm-to-market funding could be used for the match; Cutie said it could be used but cautioned that moving those funds could push other projects to 2029 depending on how state programming windows change. Cutie also noted other sources the county might use for matching funds, including proceeds from property sales or reallocated local funds, but emphasized the general fund is restricted and advised caution.
Cutie described other engineering updates during his report: Franklin Railroad work is expected in fiscal 2026; the county is exploring an internal approach to a Durapatcher process after crews reported pothole settling; and interaction with Iowa State University on a flat-car bridge study is expected to produce a proposal soon. He also reported a new crew member starting and upcoming meetings with bridge inspection consultants that could alter budget estimates.
Board action: the supervisors approved a resolution authorizing the 28E intergovernmental agreement and directed staff to finalize and submit materials with county attorney Andy's approval. The board voted to adopt the 28E agreement so the joint application can be completed and submitted on the timeline the grant writers requested.
What remains open: Cutie said that the final project cost could vary between now and the construction year and that he will refine the budget and potential sources of the local match as more details become available. He also said the county will need to program and possibly reprioritize STBG and farm-to-market funds if they are used for matches to preserve key projects such as W 42.
