Bridge projects on Highway 65 at Hampton, Rockwell complete

Weather delayed the end to a months-long detour along Highway 65 but the roadway is now open.

Pete Hjelmstad, field services manager for the Iowa Department of Transportation, said that crews earlier this week completed construction on three bridges on Highway 65 through Rockwell. The project, part of the DOT’s multi-year mission to replace bridges across the state, began in March. Since March, a detour directing traffic around Rockwell had been in place but now, the barricades have been lifted.

Hjelmstad said the project was supposed to be done last Tuesday, but inclement weather delayed the painting of the roadway.

“We were hoping for today (last Tuesday) but the weather said no,” he said. “We can’t open roads without putting the edge lines and center lines in and we can’t paint in the rain.”

In October, DOT crews also wrapped up construction on two bridges on Highway 65 through Hampton, which also required a significant detour around town.

Now with both projects finished, motorists have a straight shot on Highway 65 from Hampton past Rockwell.