Rock Rapids, Iowa — A local county highway engineer, explaining road construction projects in her county is advising people just what “Local Traffic Only” means.
Lyon County Engineer Laura Sievers advises in a recent memo that two county roads are going to be undergoing construction projects. She also tells motorists what is expected of them.
She reminds people that if “road closed” signs are placed far enough apart that you can drive between them, it is only legal to drive on the road to get to a destination in the work zone. If your destination is not in the work zone and you travel through the work zone on the closed road, that is illegal.
Sievers reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.
As for the actual construction projects, they would affect you if you are headed to Ellsworth, Minnesota from our area – or if you’re headed north out of Lester toward Hills or Steen, Minnesota.
Sievers says that Lyon County Road L14 (formerly Iowa Highway 91) between the Minnesota state line and Iowa Highway 9, as well as Lyon County Road K30 between the Minnesota state line and the Lester city limits, are both closed for road construction work as of this week. She says the roads will be closed until October, weather permitting. Sievers says that during this closure, traffic will be detoured around the two work zones. She says Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputies have been asked to patrol the work zones to make sure people stay off of roads that are closed.
