(Spencer)– The Iowa Department of Transportation announced this (Thursday) afternoon work on Highway 71 on the north edge of Spencer will be suspended next week, while the Clay County Fair is going on, with the normal two lanes of traffic in each direction in place during that time. D.O.T officials say motorists will need to watch for barrels along the shoulders of the road as they protect culvert pipes that will be installed for the “median crossover project”.
In a statement, the Iowa D.O.T says they “decided to pause the crossover project until after the Clay County Fair which runs from Sept. 12-20, in Spencer, to keep traffic moving safely during the event.” It goes on to say “State road projects in the Spencer area won’t resume until Monday, September 21st, weather permitting. The only construction expected on state and federal highways during the fair would be for emergencies.”
The previous announcement by the D.O.T that lane restrictions would be in place during the Clay County Fair drew backlash from local officials. Spencer Mayor Donavon Wunschel made it clear at the conclusion of Tuesday’s city council meeting that the city had no say whatsoever in the D.O.T’s timeline.
The ongoing work in the area of the north Y is in advance of the construction of a roundabout. That project is scheduled for 2027.
