County Roads Overview

The entity responsible for the care and upkeep of Iowa’s roads depends on a variety of factors. These factors include the classification of the road, the amount of traffic using the road, and most importantly, the location of the road. Depending on the location, primary roads in Iowa are controlled by either the state Department of Transportation (DOT) or by a municipal government. Secondary roads are controlled by the county board of supervisors. The municipal street system is controlled by the respective municipality. 

County Control

For roads controlled at the county level, it is the board of supervisor’s duty to establish maintenance policies and provide adequate funds for those procedures. The county engineer is responsible for interpreting the supervisor’s policies and recommending the resources necessary to maintain the roadway in a report.

County Engineer Report

Each year before April 15, the board of supervisors...