(Spencer)– A public informational session on plans by the Iowa Department of Transportation to construct a roundabout at the north junction of Highways 71 and 18 in Spencer, or the North Y, was held Monday at Spencer City Hall. Jessica Felix, a District 3 engineer for the Iowa D.O.T, was also on hand at Monday evening’s city council meeting to give an overview. She says a bidletting on the project is scheduled for the fall of 2026 with construction beginning the following spring and completion in the fall of 2027. Felix says a detour will be in place while the construction is underway. She says the project has a total estimated cost of $5.2 million. While there will be a significant change to that intersection, Felix says businesses in that area will still be accessible…
“U.S. 71 in access-controlled. When the development went in on the east side, D.O.T purchased all that access and it continues to be access-controlled. So 4th Avenue is a platted road even though it’s a gravel right now. We’ll pave that section and then a little bit to the west and back up to 18 is what will be the new portion.”
She says some educational sessions for motorists are also planned…
“The D.O.T will, as we progress through final design and construction, we recognize that roundabouts sometimes are unfamiliar and so we will look for opportunities for driver education. If you have suggestions like your service groups, the high school, things like that, please let us know. We also work with our law enforcement partners on that and our motor vehicle, so. We recognize that change sometimes is hard because it’s unfamiliar and we are trying to make it more familiar.”
A large crowd attended Monday’s informational session.
