County engineer details bridge, paving and speed-limit study after state speed-change

Mike Puny, Winneshiek County engineer, told the Board of Supervisors at their regular meeting that crews have installed deck reinforcements on Bridge 307, are preparing concrete patching on 350th Street, and expect the W40 A14 project to begin June 22 if weather cooperates.

Puny said a recent state action raising paved-road speed limits to 60 mph means the county must review local safety on curvy roads such as Old Stage and W14. "The real issue, there's two issues. Curvy roads," he said, and he plans to prepare engineering-safety data to support keeping a 55 mph limit on specific sections. He also noted a cost-saving idea: using Iowa Prison Industries stickers (about $4.80 each) to update existing signs rather than replace every sign.

The engineer reported that bids for a Spillville paving project arrived about 36% over the county's estimate. "The bid came in high," Puny said, adding that line items outside the centerline were especially expensive; he said he would likely recommend rejecting all bids and will discuss the matter at Spillville's meeting the following night.

On routine operations, Puny said the county has fully staffed crews (a new equipment operator starts tomorrow) and that bridge and resurfacing crews have been active. He also told the board the county submitted a CHBP grant Friday for bridge projects including bridges 164, 59, 400A and 67.

Board members and Puny debated enforcement and logistics if speed limits change. Supervisors raised concerns about short stretches of higher speed followed by quick reductions on curvy roads and whether the county would need to order additional 55-mph signs if 60 mph signs were installed elsewhere.

The board did not vote on policy at the meeting; Puny said he will bring results of his planned study and recommendations to a future meeting.