The Southwest Iowa Coalition (SWICO) will hold its annual meeting 6 p.m. Jan. 15, at the Red Coach Inn and Restaurant in Red Oak, located at 1200 Senate Ave. Troy Jerman, PE, district engineer, Department of Transportation will be joined by Larry Winum, president, Glenwood state bank and SWICO Infrastructure Committee, co-chair. They will lead a discussion about the steps to take in preparation for the expansion of US Highway 34.
It is thought members see a huge benefit to residents and commercial trade by expanding Highway 34 to four lanes from Highway 275 in Mills County to the Interstate 35 interchange outside at Osceola. Residents and professionals working in the area can decrease their commute times. Business and Industry often require access to four-lane transportation infrastructure. It is believed that the commercial development which will occur on the Iowa and Nebraska side of the new Highway 34 bridge will inevitably raise the traffic count to justify the expansion of lanes on Highway 34.
Jerman and Winum will talk through some of the early steps that can be taken to work with the Department of Transportation’s administration and commission to insure this issue continues to be monitored, and when the time is right, becomes part of the IDOT’s five year plan.
“We realize, like the bridge, this is a longer term project that will be driven by increased traffic counts but we want to begin planning for that expansion,” said Winum, who provided the on-going, lead coordination for the bridge project.
RSVP to the SWICO office for a head-count for the no-host meal which begins at 6 p.m. People can RSVP by phone or email to 712-309-2132 or swico@swico.org. SWICO meetings and activities are open to anyone who wishes to participate.
The coalition is the oldest rural development advocacy organization in the state of Iowa with membership throughout 16 counties.
Member counties of the coalition include: Adair, Adams, Audubon, Clarke, Cass, Decatur, Fremont, Guthrie, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, Taylor and Union.
It is a nonprofit and relies on modest dues and volunteer support for its advocacy activities. The membership is comprised of concerned individuals, business and industry, nonprofits, agencies, chambers, development organizations, city and county governments. More information is at www.swico.org .