Spirit Lake, Iowa — Many people from our area have lake homes or spend a significant amount of time in the Iowa Great Lakes area each summer, and in fact, throughout the year. The Iowa Department of Transportation tells us a new construction project will help make getting around the area between Arnolds Park and Okoboji a lot easier.
The project, led by the Iowa Department of Transportation, is planned to be completed in 2024 and will improve pavement, intersections, and sidewalks. Details of the project are now available on a new Iowa DOT website (click here).
DOT officials say they know the area has heavy traffic in the summer, so they say they will do their best not to interrupt your summer plans in the area. They plan to complete the road work during “off-peak” season (before Memorial Day and after Labor Day). The work is scheduled to be completed in four phases over two years.
The website includes more information on the schedule and details of the project including how the project will affect your travel.
Improvements you can expect to see in the area when the project is done include new pavement on U.S. 71 from Okoboji Grove Road in Arnolds Park through Okoboji View Avenue in Okoboji, an extension of the three-lane section of U.S. 71 to the south of Lake Street, improved mobility in the area by updating the sidewalks to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a new barrier rail that separates vehicles from pedestrians on the causeway, aesthetic enhancements on the causeway barrier rail and updated pavement in the space between the road and the barrier rail, and new traffic signals at Lake Street and Linden Street in Arnolds Park.
For more information, you can contact the Iowa DOT.
