Starting this week, part of Riverside Road will be closed just north of Washington. The Washington County Engineer’s Office announced 12th Street, or Riverside Road, will be closed from East 15th Street in Washington north to G36, or 220th Street. Crews will be paving a four-foot wide portion of the shoulders.

Construction is taking place in phases. The first phase will start Wednesday, October 15th, and will last three days. There will then be a break before the contractor returns to complete the pavement patching associated with the project. The final phase will include placing the new paved shoulders along with new shoulder rock.

L.L. Pelling of North Liberty was awarded the contract for the work at just under $800,000. Part of the funding is a $450,000 Highway Safety Improvement Program grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation. The project aims to address the edge ruts that develop along the existing pavement due to high volumes of commuter, truck, and agricultural traffic on the road.

The road will be open to thru traffic, however it will be restricted to one lane while the contractor is working. Pilot cars and flaggers will be used. Drivers are encouraged to allow extra time to reach destinations and to use caution in work zones.