Friday, October 06, 2006                                                      For More Information:

                                                                                                Rep. Reichert, 515-281-3221

 

HERSHEY AVE OVERPASS INCLUDED IN DOT 5 YEAR PLAN

Muscatine, Iowa - The new Hershey Avenue overpass at Highway 61 was again included in the five year plan presented to the Iowa Transportation Commission this week. The draft plan, which will likely be approved next month, includes $5.1 million over the next two years to complete the overpass project.

"Despite declining revenues and high competition for transportation projects, I'm pleased the Hershey Avenue overpass was again included in the five year plan," said State Representative Nathan Reichert of Muscatine. "The intersection is extremely dangerous and has become a safety hazard for drivers on Highway 61 and Hershey Avenue."

The total cost of the five year plan is estimated at $2 billion, which includes both state and federal funding. The draft highway section is available on the Iowa DOT's Web site at iowadot.gov.

"While it is unlikely the Commission will make any significant changes to the plan released this week, I encourage local residents to contact the Iowa Department of Transportation to lend their support to the Hershey Avenue project," concluded Reichert.

Public comment is invited and may be submitted to the Iowa DOT's Office of Program Management, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames IA 50010, telephone 515-239-1500, fax 515-239-1975, e-mail ejon.ranney@dot.iowa.gov.