Local opportunities for business, jobs grow with extension of commercial road network

Sen. Tom Rielly (D-Oskaloosa) is chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee (photo Don Hubbard)

(DES MOINES) –New opportunities for job creation and business expansion will open along the Highway 63 corridor as result of legislation signed into law Friday.

“We’ve expanded the size of Iowa’s commercial and industrial highway network so that Highway 63 can get the improvements it needs to help our area attract and retain businesses and create jobs,” said Senator Tom Rielly (D-Oskaloosa), chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. “Improvements to Highway 63 from Oskaloosa north to Waterloo will better connect our area to Iowa’s key routes so that we can do business more efficiently and effectively.”

Iowa’s commercial and industrial highway network is made up of interconnected roads that provide long-distance route continuity. Senate File 2153 expands the commercial and industrial highway network from 2,500 to 2,600 miles so that the Highway 63 corridor can be better connected to I-80.

“By becoming a part of this key road network, the Highway 63 corridor will improve the flow of commerce, make travel more convenient and safe, and better connect us with other parts of Iowa and the Midwest,” Rielly said. “This is important to the growing success of our area because the commercial and industrial highway network is where Iowa concentrates a major portion of its annual road construction budget. That means money and work will be invested in our area, creating jobs and expanding business opportunities of all kinds.”