Winneshiek County officials have discussed the Locust Road detour with city officials

Next spring, when work begins on reconstructing Locust Road, traffic will need to be detoured away from the construction area.

Winneshiek County Engineer Lee Bjerke told county supervisors Tuesday he has had discussions with city officials and "there's no problem with the detour."  Bjerke says the city wants the Locust Road detour to use 337th Street to North Winneshiek Road, then on Highway 52 to Decorah.

County supervisors, however, are worried about what people who are more familiar with Winneshiek County's road system will do once work begins on Locust Road.  Specifically, they're worried that heavy truck drivers will use Meadowlark Road, which is paved with gravel, instead of 337th and North Winn, which are cement surfaces.

Winneshiek County Board Chair John Logsdon says he's concerned about possible "collateral damage" to Meadowlark and other county roads due to increased traffic because of the Locust Road detour.  He asked if the City of Decorah would pay for any dust control on Meadowlark.  Bjerke says there has been a conversation with City of Decorah officials about this topic.

Bjerke says the Iowa DNR can order dust control on a road if that becomes an issue and also can order a lower speed limit.  Logsdon says that while he thinks the county and city are ready for the detour, he'd be happier if there were a 28E agreement in writing.