By Mari Radtke
The Iowa DOT has officially announced Highway 59 will be closing for most of the summer. Its current closure date is set at April 5. The date could still be changed, especially if weather delays construction.
A pre construction meeting is scheduled for Wednesday March 24, 2021 where officials from the City of Primghar, O’Brien County, DOT and contractors will meet to finalize construction plans, specifications and other details of the project.
The expected project is for two bridges between the intersection of Highway 10 West and Highway 59 and the southern edge of Primghar will be removed, the road regarded and resurfaced. Municipal officials are moving forward with the understanding that there will also be a lighted underpass for pedestrian traffic along “Sneakers’ Run” near Primghar.
Details will be announced following the preconstruction meeting Wednesday.
The detour selected is County Road L54. The blacktop from Highway 18 to Calumet is the north/south substitute road. The detour runs east on B40 from Highway 59 at Primghar to L54, a 3-mile jog. The route turns south 8 miles to Highway 59. The intersection is 5 miles west of Sutherland and just south of the intersection of Highways 59 and 10 West.