(Arnolds Park)– The Highway 71 causeway and bridge between Arnolds Park and Okoboji reopened to traffic at 5:00 pm today (Thurs.). The closure, which began September 18th, was originally scheduled to last four weeks. Crews with Cedar Valley Corporation, the general contractor on the Highway 71 reconstruction through the lakes corridor, put down new concrete pavement through the causeway on Wednesday, using a special process that allowed the cement to cure much quicker than normal.
As the causeway reopens, it will also announced today (Thursday) that a stretch of Highway 71 between Lake Shore Drive and Sanford Avenue in Okoboji will be closed to traffic beginning this coming Monday, October 2nd as work moves into that area. The Iowa Department of Transportation says access to businesses in that area will be maintained.
Officials say work on this phase of the Highway 71 project through Arnolds Park and Okoboji will continue for as long as the weather allows this fall, with additional work in the spring, before Memorial Day.
