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County engineer: high water closes roads; bridge projects, bridge steel delays expected
Summary
County Engineer Cathy Nicholas reported recent high‑water road closures (King Road east of Dunkerton) and said Taylor Construction will begin the Winslow Road bridge replacement next week. She warned steel lead times have lengthened, driving bids above engineer estimates.
Cathy Nicholas, Blackhawk County engineer, told the Board of Supervisors that recent heavy rains closed several roads and left King Road east of Dunkerton over the Wapsipinicon River still shut. Barricade crews were working and most roads should reopen later in the week if no more heavy rain occurs.
Nicholas also reviewed upcoming bridge work. "Our contractor Taylor Construction should be moving in next week on our Winslow Road bridge replacement project," she said. She warned the board that structural steel prices and longer lead times—now four to five months rather than weeks—are pushing bids above engineers' estimates on several bridge items, and recommended accepting the lowest responsible bids so projects can proceed.
Board members discussed exploring alternative procurement approaches and a future work session to delve into structural options. Nicholas said staff will continue to monitor DOT pricing and coordinate bundled projects to seek savings.
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