Hiawatha mayor cites progress on Town Center

Hiawatha Mayor Bill Bennett and Stuart Anderson, director of the planning, programming and modal division of the Iowa Department of Transportation, spoke to about 170 people at Thursday's Hiawatha Economic Development Corporation's State of the City luncheon at the Kirkwood Regional Center.

Among the issues discussed:

' Anderson said construction of an interchange at Interstate 380 and Tower Terrace Road likely would not begin until 2022. The agency is waiting for completion of an interchange justification report, expected in 2018.

' Anderson said a new cost estimate for construction of an I-380-Tower Terrace Road interchange should be ready by the end of this year. He said the updated estimate is necessary before it can be considered for inclusion in the agency's next five-year plan.

' Anderson said improvements to the Boyson Road interchange will be 'interconnected” with planning for a potential Tower Terrace Road interchange. The improvements would include reconstruction of the interchange to handle additional traffic.

' Bennett said infrastructure work is progressing at the realigned intersection of North Center Point Road, Emmons Street and Robins Road. The changes, which he said should be completed in 2017, are the second phase of the Town Center project.

' Bennett said Hiawatha has continued to experience economic growth, citing the heavy traffic on Boyson Road. He said the city has been contacted by a number of companies looking at locating in the community.

' Bennett said the city of Hiawatha will stage Fun Fest on Aug. 26 and Aug. 27 in Guthridge Park. The event will succeed Hiawatha Hog Wild Days, which ended a 30-year run in 2015.