Construction on T-65 or Oxford Ave from the Lacey Hwy. G-29 east of Lacey southwesterly to the Mahaska County Rural Water Plant, is scheduled to begin the last week of June, weather depending.  If Construction is held up due to weather the likely starting date will be after the 4^th of July Holiday.  The first phase of the project includes removal and crushing of the existing roadway.  The stage is estimated to take 3-4 weeks again weather related.  No through traffic will be allowed during this phase but those that live on this roadway will be permitted to get to and from their homes/businesses during this time.  We ask those landowners to contact the County Engineer’s office if there are special requests for operations during this time.

Phase 2 of the project involves the removal of bad subgrade.  Only those local residents will be allowed within the project area during this phase.  The estimated time to complete this phase is 4 weeks.

Phase 3 of the project involves the placement of geogrid with road stone to build up the subgrade/sub-base for preparation for paving.  Only local residents will be allowed in the project area.  All through traffic in phases 1-3 will be diverted onto Hwy 63 and then to G-29(Lacey pavement).

Phase 4 involves the paving of the roadway which is planned to have one-lane of traffic but there will be delays if using this route.  It is still advised for through traffic to follow the detour on G-29 and Hwy. 63.  The estimated time to complete is 4 weeks.

Phase 5 involves the rock shouldering of the roadway and paving the intersection radiuses.  Traffic one lane with Pilot cars will still be enforced. Care or avoidance of the project is still requested.  Local traffic will be allowed. Estimated time to complete is a week to 10 days.

Phase 6 of the project involves the construction of the rumble stripes.  One-lane traffic will be allowed with pilot cars. Estimated time to complete 1 week.

Phase 7 of the project will include the striping of the completed roadway.  Less traffic will lessen the chances the paint lines get damaged prior to drying to aid with the long term effectiveness of the striping for safety purposes.  Estimated time for completion of the striping is 1 week.

Depending on the weather, Mahaska County is anticipating completion of the project to take 2 ½ months if all goes well.  We know that this will cause some interference with daily operations for those that live within the project area and I ask for your patience but with good weather the route will be reconstructed by Labor Day.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call my office at 641-672-2897.