(KIWA Staff Photo, files below from Mortenson)O’Brien County, Iowa — Two wind farms in O’Brien County are having some upgrades done.
Officials with MidAmerican Energy’s contractor, Mortensen, tell us you will see some new road signs in that area. Mortensen officials tell us that safety is at the heart of every successful project, and with that commitment in mind, they are telling us about an upcoming initiative designed to enhance awareness and improve travel conditions throughout the community.
Mortenson officials say that in support of the Highland and O’Brien Wind Repower Projects, new traffic signage will soon be installed across the project area to help promote safer interactions between local motorists, residents, landowners, and construction traffic at key roadway intersections.
Mortenson has sent KIWA two project maps, along with a representative signage plan, identifying each location where signs will be installed, and these can be found below. They tell us the locations have been carefully selected, with particular attention given to uncontrolled intersections within the project boundaries where increased visibility and awareness will have the greatest impact.
Looking ahead, Mortonsen says their team plans to begin marking and locating sign positions during the week of October 12th, 2026, laying the groundwork for a safe and efficient installation process. Installation activities are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 19th, 2026, and are expected to be completed by Friday, October 23rd, 2026.
They tell us the signage will remain in place throughout construction, which is anticipated to continue through November 2027. Following project completion, there is also the possibility that the O’Brien County Board of Supervisors may choose to retain some of the signage as a permanent enhancement to roadway safety.
The O’Brien Wind Farm is between Hartley and Sanborn, with some of the turbines west of Sanborn as well. The Highland Wind Farm is southeast of there, basically between Hartley and Primghar.
