The Iowa Department of Transportation is requesting public input for the proposed replacement of the Iowa Highway 78 bridge over the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad, about 2.5 miles west of the city of Richland in Keokuk County, and on the proposed detour route. The project will replace the existing 292 foot x 26 foot continuous I-beam bridge with a 467 foot 2 inch x 40 foot continuous welded girder bridge.

Construction is expected to occur during the 2022 construction season.

During construction through traffic would be detoured using Keokuk/Jefferson County Road V-63, Jefferson County Road H-17, and Iowa Highway 1. It is anticipated the detour will be in place for the majority of the construction, except for the lanes crossing the bridge over the railroad (Iowa 78 mile marker 8.8). Local traffic will have access to Iowa 78 during the planned closure.

For general information regarding the proposed improvements please view the information online at www.iowadot.gov/pim or contact Hector Torres-Cacho, transportation planner, Iowa DOT District 5 Office, 205 E. 227th Street, Fairfield, Iowa 52556, phone 641-472-4171 or 800-766-4368, email: hector.torres-cacho@iowadot.us. If you do not have access to the internet, please feel free to contact Hector regarding this project.

Visit the Iowa DOT’s project-related public involvement event website at www.iowadot.gov/pim for information about scheduled public meetings and hearings, or view and offer input on any DOT project using the new Map Search feature. Comments and questions regarding this online meeting should be received by August 20, 2020.  If you would like to receive future email notifications, or submit a comment or question regarding this project, go to: www.bit.ly/iowadot17761.