(Arnolds Park)– Work on the first phase of the reconstruction of Highway 71 through Arnolds Park and Okoboji is scheduled to start around the middle of March. That word from Dakin Schultz, a District Planner with the Iowa Department of Transportation. As reported previously, Schultz says most of the work this spring will be at intersections in the two communities.
“You’ll also see some work where they’re starting to make improvements so they can do the new traffic signal, and then, they will do a little bit of pavement reconstruction, something that we hadn’t originally planned on in the first phase, but because of the way the contract is set up, we’re gonna allow them to do a little bit of pavement replacement this spring, as well.”
The paving this spring will be on the northbound lane between Ackley Street in Arnolds Park and Gordon Drive/Lakeshore Drive in Okoboji. Schultz says that’s important for this reason.
“Part of the desire to do that is that when the causeway closes in the fall, the contractor’s still required by contract to maintain access for emergency services, and they feel they can better accomplish that requirement by having one lane paved.”
The work this spring will continue until Memorial Day, when it will then be suspended until after Labor Day. The work will proceed in phases again in the spring and fall of 2024. Schultz says a website that’s specific to the project will be launched next week…
“On that website now we’ll give schedule and project overview, but you will also be able to sign up for project notifications on that website.”
In addition, a public informational meeting is scheduled for 5:00 pm March 7th. Additional details will be forthcoming.
