Local Group Continues To Highlight Need For Highway 63 Improvements

The Highway 63 Coalition continues to keep the project on the minds of policy makers, both at the state and federal level. (photo by Ginger Allsup)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The roads and transportation are always a topic of discussion, no matter if it’s the local coffee shop or a County Supervisor forum.

A group of area residents from Montezuma to Ottumwa, including those from Mahaska County, have been working side-by-side to help make an upgrade to Highway 63 a priority for the State of Iowa and the Federal Government.

Recently, some locals traveled to Washington D.C. to help take the case to Congressmen and Senators representing Iowa during the middle of May. The group was representing the Mahaska Community Development Group (MCDG). Ironically, transportation issues, mainly a flight being cancelled for 4 of the participants, kicked off the visit by the group to D.C.

This is the Second visit to Washington D.C., in recent years, for a local group covering the Highway 63 project. Previously, a visit with Congressman Boswell and then Congressman Oberstar, who was the House Transportation Chairman, helped provide a direction for the group to start off with, including the knowledge that intermodel transportation is an important aspect looked at when considering funding for projects.

This time, the group was able to inform the senators and congressman how far they have come in developing the project. This includes the State of Iowa passing an additional 100 miles to be added to the CIN (Commercial Industrial Network) making it possible for the group to apply to have the stretch of 63 not included in that program to be added.

The group was also able to highlight recent developments in developing a regional airport with Pella, and the spirit of cooperation developing among entities. “It’s that whole notion, we have people working together and there’s a spirit to do that, now can you as the Federal Government help us out in our efforts to do the kinds of things that you encourage us to do. Can you help us with funding for the highway. If nothing else, just give us some expectations as to what it is we can expect of the Federal Government in the coming year or years as we try to push this notion of getting Highway 63 improved.”

“We made them aware of our vision and the need we think is here,” Mahaska County Supervisor Ken Rozenboom said about the groups conversations. “What comes of it– I don’t know, but you have to make your needs known or nothing will happen.”

“Part of me says, ‘Why should you have to go to Washington to do this?’ But the truth of the matter is, you simply have to. You have to make your needs known.”

Also, the 63 Coalition, which is comprised of several different communities and businesses including Mahaska and Poweshiek and many communities from Ottumwa up to Malcom, is working together for a common goal.

No promises were given by any of the congressional delegations, and the philosophy of earmarks varied. As was highlighted by Senator Grassley’s visit to Oskaloosa in February of this year, he explains that ear marks are a thing of the past. “So if I was to put in for Highway 63, somebody would probably say well, you know, Grassley’s benefiting to some extent some way or the other. So, there’s not going to be any earmarks now. That’s probably a good thing because things will be decided more on a priority basis. So my guess for 63, the money that comes from the federal government will go to the State Department of Transportation and they’ll allocate it out.”

Krutzfeldt said, “What we did ask them was what our expectation ought to be.” In conversations, others in the congressional delegation thought that earmarks may make a return, but not in the current budget.

For now, the group is continuing to fund the initial stages of the project including needs assessment and the NEPA study. They will also be looking at different route possibilities and the needs of the communities in the corridor.