Jasper County Engineer Mike Frietsch expects the cost of a 600-foot pavement extension project for South 128th Avenue East on the Jasper/Mahaska County Line will be lower than first expected. The extension of the pavement is related to a $4.25 million expansion by Co-Line Manufacturing. When final plans were approved for the tenth of a mile of additional paving, the project was expected to cost $570,000, but Frietsch told the Jasper County Board of Supervisors during their meeting this week that the project’s final cost will probably be significantly less.

“I think actual construction costs are estimated to be closer to $300,000. So right now I am thinking our local share will be more like $75,000.”  

A state rise grant will cover 50% of the cost, while Jasper and Mahaska Counties will split the other half. At the $570,000 construction figure, Jasper and Mahaska County would have each paid $142,600. Frietsch says Jasper County will cash-flow and administer the project, putting it out for bid, awarding the construction contract, and then getting re-imbursed from the rise grant and Mahaska County. Once completed, the new pavement will extend past the new Co-Line facilities. The Lynnville Company’s expansion is expected to create at least 25 new jobs.