County engineer: Morehead Bridge reopened, FY27 road plan approved; lighting and utility permits awarded

Jackson County supervisors approved several infrastructure measures on March 10, including reopening a repaired bridge, adopting the FY27 five‑year road plan and awarding small construction contracts and utility permits.

County Engineer Jaden Shekel said repairs to the Morehead (also spelled Moorhead in discussion) Bridge are complete and recommended a resolution to reopen the bridge to a 15‑ton weight restriction. The board approved resolution 1172‑03‑10‑2026 to reopen the bridge.

Shekel also said the FY27 five‑year county road program and associated budget had been submitted to and reviewed by the state DOT with minimal comments; he recommended board approval and the board adopted resolution 1173‑03‑10‑2026.

The engineer described two destination‑lighting projects—one at Bernard Road and E 17 (the summer overlay location) and one at Bellevue Cascade Road and 113th Avenue toward Leisure Lake—received competitive bids and the board approved awarding the work to low bidder Beechler Electric of Dubuque.

Shekel presented two right‑of‑way utility permits that the office recommended for approval: Preston Telephone Company to bore an underground fiber optic on 42nd Street (Fairfield Township, Section 21) and Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative to install an overhead power line on 93rd Street (South Fork Township, Section 5). The board approved both permits.

Shekel also updated the board on the Channelworth project, reporting contractors had built coffer dams and expected to drive the first pile for the north pier that day.

All items were approved by voice vote as presented to the board.