Mills County engineer outlines storm cleanup, road milling and upcoming bridge work

MILLS COUNTY — County Engineer Mr. Frell told supervisors that crews were out from about 4:30 a.m. into the afternoon clearing trees, downed power lines and multiple washouts caused by the most recent severe storm.

"We did have people out from about 4:30 in the morning to maybe 2 or 3 in the afternoon for storm cleanup, a lot of trees down, power lines down, wash outs," Mr. Frell said, describing immediate response and subsequent grader work to restore roads and shoulders.

He described a near-term resurfacing operation on 221st Street: "G asphalt's coming down for 221st Street. Rejuvenation spray. It should start spraying around noon. Takes about an hour and a half, four hours cure time," after which pavement markings crews will return and complete the work over three days.

Mr. Frell also outlined Deacon Road plans, saying crews want 72 hours without rain after base stabilization work and that they hope to begin ripping and compacting remaining sections later in the week if the forecast allows. On L63 crews are milling out fat material and will pave back the good material. Looking ahead, he said the 215th Street Bridge will be advertised in September with winter construction planned.

The engineer noted some drainage repairs and a slip problem on a Greenwood structure near 340th and Donner Road that will require pressure-gravity work to cut the water off, fill voids and restore flow with concrete repairs.

Supervisors asked about state work on ridge removal; Mr. Frell said the state had signaled a start "sometime in July" and that he would reach out for a specific date.

The report focused on repairs and scheduling; no new contracts or funding decisions were made during the engineer's presentation.