Construction of a 16 mile bike lane in Louisa County will begin later this year. According to county engineer Larry Roehl, the Iowa Department of Transportation is accepting bids through July for the paved shoulder along the county’s portion of the Great River Road.

Grants and state funds are financing the lane on X61 from Highway 99 to 162nd street. Last year the secondary roads department received a $340,000 state recreational trail grant to match a $1.3 million grant obtained through the National Scenic Byways program.

The Great River Road National Scenic Byway follows the Mississippi River from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.