A four-lane expansion of U.S. Highway 30 will begin next spring, growing the capacity of a major agricultural artery for grain and livestock transport in the state.

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, grading for the U.S. 30 expansion, including portions of the historic transcontinental Lincoln Highway between Tama, Iowa, and U.S. Highway 218, is slated to last two years, followed by one year of paving for a scheduled completion in late 2020. A northern relocation of the roadway will require extensive cut and fill across hilly terrain.

Don Newton, owner of Newton Feedlot, Inc., farms south of U.S. 30 near Blairstown, Iowa, with his son, Seth. Every year, Newton hauls 300 to 400 loads of grain east along U.S. 30 to processing facilities in Cedar Rapids. He hauls his cattle west on U.S. 30 to livestock buyers in Tama.

Read the full article on the Iowa Farmer Today website.