Buena Vista County Engineer Bret Wilkinson says Phase 2 of the Platinum Crush road project is nearly ready to move forward, following a key development this week.
During Tuesday’s Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors meeting, Wilkinson confirmed that Mid-American Energy has signed the right-of-way document for 80th Avenue, clearing the way for final plan adjustments and bid letting.
Prior to Wilkinson’s report Tuesday morning, the board approved an Iowa Department of Transportation draft concept statement for the redesign of the intersection of Iowa Highway 7 and 80th Avenue near Lake Creek.
The approved design includes full-depth paving, elevation adjustments, and a tighter railroad crossing footprint—reducing the surface from 86 feet to 59 feet.
Wilkinson said the county will shorten the northern end of its Phase 2 project to avoid paving a stretch of 80th Avenue that will be realigned under the Iowa DOT’s design.
If the board approves the updated plans next week, bids could be due by mid-September, with construction potentially beginning this fall, said Wilkinson.
Phase 2 will connect 600th Street and 80th Avenue to the new pavement near the Platinum Crush soybean processing plant east of Alta. Once complete, the county will begin work on the third and final stage of the repaving project.
