Intersection Safety, Bridge Repairs, and Equipment Shortages Top County Engineer's Report

We cover Decorah because we love it. Show your love back — donate today. DECORAH — Winneshiek County Engineer Michael Kueny told county supervisors Monday that bridge inspections, culvert work and road safety reviews continue across the county as construction season winds down. "There's nothing new this week" on the county's BUILD grant, Kueny said, but bridge inspectors were in the county as part of a five-year culvert bridge inspection program. He said the inspection team would return next month to complete additional work required by state standards. Kueny reported that construction on County Road A14 is progressing, with culvert installations nearly complete. He also raised a safety concern at a rural intersection on the west side of the county, about a mile off Pole Line Road, where residents have requested a four-way stop. While he acknowledged the concerns, Kueny said the intersection does not yet meet required safety standards for signage. "From an engineer's perspective, it's 'The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways' (MUTCD) standard stopping sight distance for these gravel roads of about 490 feet, and we're not quite there yet," he said. Although no accidents have been reported at the intersection, Kueny said the limited sight distance and presence of school buses and truck traffic make it a "nervous" spot for some drivers. The issue will be on next week's agenda, and if supervisors vote to add stop signs, he said he would install them. Kueny also discussed staffing and equipment challenges within the Secondary Roads Department, noting that hiring blade operators remains difficult. "We were very fortunate. We don't have the same problems as some of the other counties," he said. "But the private sector can charge whatever they want […] we can't." Equipment costs are also rising, Kueny said, noting the county's need for a new road maintainer. "Regardless, we're going to be looking at a new maintainer here as soon as I can determine that the funds are available," he said. "The cost of equipment is going up faster than the rest of the prices." He said maintaining one new maintainer each year would help the county "stay on top" of its road system. Kueny concluded his report by noting that as fall projects finish, crews will shift their focus to winter preparation. Become a part of the exclusive circle! Subscribe to the newsletter for free and gain access to special offers, bonus content and insider perks.