Supervisors approve utility and telecom permits for ITC Midwest and Windstream projects

Louisa County supervisors approved several utility and telecommunications permitting requests affecting county roads and rights-of-way.

Adam, who provided the roads report, said ITC Midwest is modernizing an existing overhead transmission line that runs along 65th and west toward Columbus City and that the company will largely work within the existing right-of-way. "It's pretty light," Adam said, and he said he will bring a road-use agreement to the board next time. The board voted to allow ITC Midwest to construct within the county right-of-way.

The board also approved multiple telecom projects, including Windstream project 57820 (an installation north of the sheriff's department area) and a separate project 54063 that will route fiber under, and along, county roads to connect a trailer court and other local connections. Adam and supervisors discussed ensuring Windstream bores under roadways rather than trenching in sensitive areas; Adam said past issues with trenching had prompted that condition.

Supervisors approved the Windstream and Eastern Iowa Light bore permits by voice vote. Adam said the K Road closure and other DOT permits are part of ordinary coordination with state work and that the bridge project will proceed as weather allows.

The board did not attach special funding conditions to these approvals; roads staff will oversee permit compliance and coordinate required DOT permits and public notifications.