Coalition Continues Work Of Advocating For Better Road System

A discussion at the Oskaloosa Middle School last year was the first for a potential US 63 bypass of Oskaloosa.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – With the harvest season nearly complete, the amount of trucks making their way through Oskaloosa increases greatly.

Area businesses and government representatives from the four county area formed the East Central Iowa Transportation Coalition (ECITC) several years ago, as awareness had grown that our existing roads were not meeting the demands of high traffic counts. Over the years, they have traveled to Des Moines and Washington DC to create awareness, and worked with the DOT to demonstrate that the 97-mile stretch between Oskaloosa and Waterloo met the CIN criteria.

In August of 2012, the section of U.S. Highway 63 that makes its way through Oskaloosa was finally added to the Commercial Industrial Network (CIN). Because of the work of the Highway 63 Coalition, areas of concern were then designated along Highway 63 to be updated. Those updates have been taking place, which include improvements North of Montezuma and ditch and culvert work between Oskaloosa and New Sharon. The Highway 63 Coalition also started the needs assessment of a northwest bypass around Oskaloosa to help alleviate the truck traffic that finds its way into downtown Oskaloosa.

This past week, that coalition met again with representatives from Iowa DOT in an effort to keep the lines of communication open, and to help keep coalition members updated as to the progress of the proposed bypass.

Also this past week, the Iowa DOT representatives informed members of the coalition of where the potential bypass may connect with the current road systems. The DOT is proposing to the EPA and Iowa DNR to move ahead with looking at two selected locations along the route. The Okay from those two entities could come back in early 2016. The existing infrastructure on the skunk river could be utilized by the DOT, if approved.

The Iowa DOT explained that refinements are still being made to the route and how it will impact the current road system. It’s stated that the current bridge over the South Skunk River on US 63 North of Oskaloosa will more than likely be utilized, with the other connection being along U.S. Highway 163 near Independence and Jewell Avenues.

Also discussed was the ongoing conversation about a southeast bypass that would connect Highway 92 east of Oskaloosa with U.S. Highway 163 to the south of Oskaloosa. The planning on that potential bypass is at least 5 years behind the northwest bypass, and, if ever completed, is over 10 years away from seeing a shovel.

For 2016, expect lots of construction efforts on Highway 92 East and West out of Oskaloosa. The Iowa DOT has announced that west of Oskaloosa, a 7.1 mile stretch of the highway will be rehabilitated, costing an estimated 3.3 million dollars.

Those travelers heading east out of Oskaloosa will also find construction and improvements, as approximately 11.9 miles of the highway are scheduled to be rehabilitated to the tune of 4.7 million dollars.