Iowa’s intricate maze of gravel roads makes up about 58 percent of the state’s total road miles, totaling over 115,000 miles. The history of Iowa’s roads dates back to Indigenous trails and territorial roads, with dirt roads being the main form of transportation up until the 1900s. Gravel roads are more cost effective to maintain than paved roads, with factors such as traffic count determining when upgrades are necessary.
Linn County Engineer Brad Ketels stated that in Linn County, 91 percent of traffic uses hard-surfaced roads, while 9 percent uses gravel roads. It costs an average of $5,000 to $6,600 per mile per year to maintain gravel roads, making them a more affordable option. Washington County has 646 miles of gravel roads, with maintenance costs being split with companies to pave certain sections.
In 2023, Linn County spent $11.5 million on various road improvement projects, including pavement markings and bridge replacements. Statewide, over $263 million was spent on roadway maintenance in the Fiscal Year 2023. While there is not a goal to pave all Iowa roads due to budget constraints, efforts are made to maintain gravel roads and address challenges like muddy conditions during spring thaw.
Residents can submit questions to Curious Iowa to learn more about the state’s infrastructure and history. For more information, contact bailey.cichon@thegazette.com.
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