Two active construction projects on Highway 78 in the Richland area are affecting drivers, with one beginning Monday and another already underway with an updated completion date, according to information from the Iowa Department of Transportation.
A new project beginning Monday, October 12th will affect Highway 78 between Highway 1 near Richland and Highway 149 east of Martinsburg — a stretch of approximately 10 miles. Traveling west, work begins at the intersection of Highway 78 and Highway 1, roughly 1.5 miles east of Richland, and continues approximately 10 miles west to the intersection of Highway 78 and Highway 149. Drivers should expect intermittent lane closures with a pilot car in operation and flaggers present. Work will take place between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily and is expected to be completed by October 29th. Those with questions can contact the Fairfield RCE office at 641-469-4090.
A separate, ongoing project between County Road V63 west of Richland and Highway 1 near Richland has the road fully closed to through traffic. The closure stems from a bridge replacement project that originally began June 8th and has been extended well beyond its original September 11th completion date. The road is now expected to reopen by November 12th. A detour is in operation using County Road V-63 in Keokuk and Jefferson counties, Jefferson County Road H-17, and Highway 1. Permitted oversize loads are prohibited in the closure area.
