–The Iowa DOT approved the agency’s 5-year Transportation Improvement Program during their meeting last week, which includes significant improvements to US Highway 18 in Palo Alto County next year. Sarah Tracy is the DOT’s District 3 Transportation Planner, and she tells KLGA News the project will improve nearly 20 miles of Highway 18 from the Kossuth County line all the way west of Emmetsburg.
The first phase will include work between Emmetsburg and Ruthven.
The second phase of the project will shift east along the highway between Emmetsburg and Cylinder.
Phase three will be the shortest stretch of work, at just under a mile.
The fourth and final phase will improve road conditions between Cylinder and the Kossuth County line.
Tracy says even with all this work taking place next spring and summer, the DOT believes they can keep the roadway open.
In total, the DOT will spend close to $10 Million to improve this nearly 20-mile stretch of highway in Palo Alto County. The new 5-year plan also includes work on US Highway 169 between Lakota and the Minnesota border next summer, and improvements to US Highway 18 between Sexton and Wesley in 2029.
See the complete 5-year plan online at the link below
https://iowadot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/f9892e9bbe0a44459f7eb28c7463ee88
