Highway 18 resurfacing project on hold

Hartley businesses and residents will have to wait for a revamped highway lane layout through town.

The Iowa Department of Transportation recently informed City Hall that a resurfacing project planned for Highway 18 this summer has been pushed to 2022. Once work starts, crews will mill the existing surface and overlay a thin layer back on top. The number of lanes will be reduced from four to three as well, resembling Highway 18's setup through Sanborn.

"I don't know if [the DOT] got too busy and behind with other projects or what, but it won't be until next year," Superintendent of Public Works Jaron Benz said. "They've been pretty vague about a start date. It could be spring or it could be late summer."

Plans call for the resurfacing project to start 1,700 feet west of North Eight Avenue West and run all the way across town to North Eighth Avenue East near Crazy Bob's. A crew from the Iowa DOT was in town last Thursday chip-sealing potholes and cracks along the route through town in preparation for winter.

Benz said the planned project is overdue, noting various spots that buckled during the summer heat.

"It's definitely due for some attention," he said.