Construction work in southwestern Carroll County is expected to expand over the next several weeks as a shoulder regrading project is set to begin on County Road M66. County Engineer Zac Andersen says a joint project between Audubon and Carroll counties on the southernmost edge of the work zone at M66 and 100th Street started a few weeks ago and is progressing well.
That detour is rerouting M66 traffic via County Road F24 in Audubon County, U.S. Highway 71, and Iowa Highway 141, and officials plan to use the same detour for the shoulder regrading project once it begins, likely later this month. Andersen says many motorists are taking shortcuts using nearby gravel roads, which is causing some problems.
While motorists can currently use nearby gravel roads as shortcuts, this will change soon. Several miles of M66 north of the intersection will be closed for shoulder regrading later this month. Although a firm start date has not been established, the contractor, Leroy and Sons Inc., is expected to begin in the next few weeks. Once the project starts, M66 will be closed to through traffic until as late as mid-October.
The supervisors approved the $339,000 contract with Leroy and Sons during their July 29 meeting. While the closure is not ideal, county officials are pleased to report that the contractor’s bid was nearly $80,000 under the engineer’s original $425,000 estimate.
