The Iowa Department of Transportation has announced work will begin next month on the reconfiguration of the Highway 146 and Highway F62 intersection in Searsboro.
Last year, public input was sought concerning the proposed improvements, and now, DOT officials are ready to execute the plan. The current intersection has stop signs for southbound Highway 146 drivers at two locations, depending on whether they are turning west onto Highway F62 or east onto Highway 146 toward Montezuma and New Sharon. Northbound Highway 146 drivers and Highway F62 drivers do not currently stop at the intersection.
The new intersection will be a three-way stop for all drivers, as well as the removal of the natural eastern curve of Highway 146.
DOT District 1 Engineer Allison Smyth said preliminary work to strengthen the shoulders will begin at the beginning of May, with the actual closure of the intersection from mid-May to late July or early August. The intent is for Highway F62 to remain open.
The official detour will take southbound Highway 146 drivers out of Grinnell, west onto Interstate 80 to Lynnville Exit 179, south on Highway T38 through Lynnville, then east on Highway F62 until merging with Highway 146. Alternate detours are to use Poweshiek County Road F57 and Highway 63 through Montezuma.
