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Anticipating future development along its northern edge, the city of Indianola has asked the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a corridor study for U.S. Highway 65/69, a four-lane divided highway connecting Indianola and Des Moines.

“We’re just in the infant stages at this point,” said Indianola City Manager Tim Zisoff, “but the DOT has given an initial OK to do a study using the Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP).” Zisoff said city officials are concerned that a significant grade difference between the northbound and southbound lanes will need to be addressed before development can take place along the east side of the highway just north of Indianola.

Through TEAP, the DOT can provide up to 100 hours of consulting assistance to municipalities to address operational or safety concerns, said Pete Tollenaere, an assistant engineer with the department.

“That does not include providing any kind of designs for changes,” he said. “It’s just a program we have for looking at problems and coming up with potential avenues as well as funding mechanisms.”

Zisoff said city officials plan to meet with DOT representatives on March 10, in part to discuss a cost-sharing arrangement between the department and the city for the corridor study.

Meanwhile, the DOT expects to let bids on March 31 for an estimated $5.5 million project to resurface Highway 65/69 from the Iowa Highway 5 bypass south to the intersection at Hillcrest Drive. The project was originally designated to be funded through federal economic stimulus funds, but now will be paid for through regular highway funding, Tollenaere said.

Resurfacing won’t wait on the results of the corridor study, he said. “Certainly we need to be aware of any conflicting projects, but we don’t have a project right now north of Indianola,” Tollenaere said. “Our project right now is to look at potential impact of development on access to the highway. We’re a long way from having any kind of understanding what this corridor study might lead to. In the meantime, we still have a responsibility to maintain the surfaces of our roads; if it needs work, it needs work.”