GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa — The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors has given the go-ahead to three significant transportation and infrastructure projects aimed at improving rural connectivity and safety across the county. The decisions came during Wednesday’s Board meeting, where County Engineer Josh Sebern presented final plans and funding details for the upcoming work.
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The largest of the projects is the Adair–Guthrie County Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Resurfacing Project on 350th Street, which will extend east from Redwood Road for two miles south of Menlo. This project represents a collaborative effort between Adair and Guthrie Counties, with both sharing costs equally through farm-to-market funds.
“The estimated cost of the project is $1,051,000, with expenses split evenly between Adair and Guthrie Counties through farm-to-market funds,” Sebern said.
The Iowa Department of Transportation will manage the project bidding, with letting scheduled for February 2026. Work is expected to begin in fall 2026, weather permitting, with a late start date set to allow flexibility for contractors and material procurement.
The resurfacing is expected to enhance roadway durability, improve traffic safety, and reduce long-term maintenance costs for one of the county’s key farm-to-market corridors that supports both agricultural and commuter traffic.
In addition to the resurfacing project, the Supervisors approved Federal Aid funding through the Iowa DOT for a bridge replacement project on Luna Avenue, located between 140th Street and 150th Street. The bridge, which has shown signs of structural wear, will be replaced to meet current safety and load standards, ensuring that local farm vehicles and rural residents can continue to travel safely.
This project is part of Guthrie County’s ongoing efforts to modernize older bridge structures and reduce the number of weight-restricted crossings across rural routes. Bridge upgrades like this one have been prioritized in recent years to maintain accessibility and support the movement of goods, particularly during harvest seasons.
The Board also approved the purchase of temporary and permanent easements from three property owners to facilitate another bridge replacement project in the county. The total cost for the easements is approximately $12,496, a relatively small investment that will allow the county to proceed with construction efficiently and without legal delays.
The approval of these easements ensures Guthrie County can move forward with preconstruction activities, including site access, staging, and survey work. Such early actions are essential to keep the county’s infrastructure program on schedule and avoid backlogs in future fiscal years.
County Engineer Sebern emphasized the importance of maintaining a proactive approach to infrastructure development. The Board’s approval of all three projects reflects Guthrie County’s broader commitment to investing in long-term improvements that benefit local residents, farmers, and businesses alike.
By leveraging state and federal partnerships, including the Iowa DOT’s Federal Aid and farm-to-market programs, the county is able to maximize impact while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The Supervisors’ decisions come at a time when rural Iowa continues to address aging infrastructure and increasing transportation demands. Modernization projects like these not only improve roadway and bridge safety but also help sustain the local economy by ensuring reliable access to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities.
With final plans now approved, Guthrie County’s engineering team will proceed with preparing bid documents and coordinating with the Iowa DOT for the February letting process. Contractors will be selected based on competitive bids, and work on all approved projects is expected to begin in the latter half of 2026.
The County Board emphasized its continued focus on infrastructure renewal as part of its 2025–2026 transportation improvement plan, which prioritizes rural road resurfacing, bridge replacements, and flood resilience upgrades.
“The estimated cost of the project is $1,051,000, with expenses split evenly between Adair and Guthrie Counties through farm-to-market funds,” said County Engineer Josh Sebern.
Originally reported by Tom Robinson in Western Iowa Today.
