The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking public comment on the full reconstruction of Highway 14 on the northwest edge of Newton. The project is expected to begin this Fall, and will impact the highway from just south of North 4th Avenue West to north of High Avenue. The existing 24-foot roadway will be rebuilt with Portland Cement Concrete and 10-foot shoulders. No additional property easements or acquisitions will be needed to complete the work, which is expected to continue through late Fall of 2027.

Jasper County Engineer Mike Frietsch says the county is going to receive compensation from the Iowa Department of Transportation for use of a county highway in the summer of 2027, while construction is ongoing.

“They are going to redo the intersection of Iowa Highway 14 and North 23rd Avenue West in 2027. It will be bid out this year. They are going to pay us for the detour. They are going to use County Highway T-12 and pay us between $37,000 and $38,000.”

Frietsch says the detour payment is based on a formula in the State Code. Once the project begins, he expects the Highway 14 detour to be in place through November 15th of next year. 

The public is encouraged to review the project details and submit comments online by Monday, February 23rd. A name and address are required to participate. Share feedback at https://publicinput.com/k16847