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$800,000 for roads, but might need ‘patience’ from motorists
by Rick DeClue · News · January 28, 2016


Among several projects this year, the National Park Service plans to spend $800,000 to resurface roads inside and around its boundaries.


The NPS also announced programs to mark its 100th anniversary.

The boundary streets come with a twist; NPS Superintendent Pete Swisher told the West Branch City Council on Jan. 19 that the first step is to clean up ownership and responsibility paperwork for some of the boundary streets – Second Street, Wetherell Street and “a finger” of First Street. The city and the NPS split responsibility for First Street literally down the middle of the road.

In 1970, the city passed a resolution agreeing to transfer title and responsibility for these streets to the NPS, but never recorded any documentation.

Swisher told the council that he cannot determine whether the NPS has easement rights or ownership of some of the streets. He wants to work with the city to clean up the title issues “so that nobody has to deal with them in the future.”

The project will include all roads the park controls except the gravel “traces” – Penn, Poplar and Downey.

Asphalt surfaces will be patched and seal-coated under the NPS Pavement Preservation Program. No asphalt streets will be milled or completely replaced. Concrete surfaces, especially Parkside Drive from north of the BP station to Main Street will be repaired, with some sections replaced as necessary. Parkside shoulders will also be improved.

The work is being contracted by the Federal Highway Administration, with which Swisher has agreed to the scope of the work and sensitive times to avoid, such as the Hoover Hometown Days. He expects to hear about schedule specifics in March.

Swisher stressed that there will be no time during construction where Parkside Drive will be closed.

“People will always be able to get into town from the interstate,” he said, “though it may require some patience.”

In addition to the road project, the NPS intends to replace the western pedestrian bridge near the Ford dealership, with work starting this spring.

Expanded programming to celebrate 100 years of the NPS includes:

• Bringing the popular Artist in Residence program, which was lost during the Federal government sequester

• A partnership with the West Branch Community School District called “Every Fourth Grader in a Park” on March 11

• Movies in the Park and more Music on the Village Green

• “Lift Every Voice” – a Bright Star touring theater production

• A coordination of Ham Radio operators to promote the NPS and amateur radio

• An additional 452 hours of the park’s popular blacksmithing demonstrations.

Information on these and other park activities, old and new, will be highlighted throughout the year. Special invitations have been sent to NPS Director John Jarvis and Midwest Regional Director Cameron Sholly for the Hoover Hometown Days to highlight one of Iowa’s two national parks.