FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 3, 2024
Portions of the popular Heart of Iowa Nature Trail (HOINT) will close this summer for trail improvement. The eastern half of the HOINT will soon close for the season as three separate projects are either underway or will be begin soon. Story County Conservation (SCC) once again asks HOINT users to be patient and construction-aware as the next two construction projects begin on the multi-use trail across southern Story County.
The segment of the HOINT intersecting Interstate 35 between 560th Avenue and 570th Avenue, between Huxley and Cambridge, remains closed for a recent water main relocation for the construction efforts to widen I-35 in both directions. This Iowa DOT project includes the addition of a tunnel under I-35 solely for passage of trail users. That portion of the HOINT will remain closed for the season, as work has commenced on this project. This tunnel is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year, allowing for trail usage by the beginning of next year’s recreation season.
Pave all the Way
SCC will be paving a three-mile portion of the HOINT, from the scenic South Skunk River Bridge eastward to County Road S-14, anticipated to begin around June 1. The completion of these projects will result in the HOINT being paved across southern Story County from the High Trestle Trail in Slater to Collins. Construction is expected to last through the summer and be completed by the beginning of winter. Stay tuned for an updated timeline for this project.
Lastly, nearly nine miles of the HOINT will be paved from S-14 to Highway 65 in Collins. The entire project area will close May 5 as the process of tree clearing begins. Earthwork and paving will follow. This project is also projected to be completed by winter.
SCC and its consultants have conducted wildlife and bat surveys and inspected areas for sensitive prairie areas, to ensure no sensitive areas would be disturbed in order to maintain this trail as a scenic corridor. All areas where tree removal is necessary have been thoroughly inspected and approved for removal. Certain areas within these projects will require tree removal ranging from minor impacts to more intensive clearing. Paving will include a 10-foot wide concrete surfacing with grass shoulders to allow for equestrian usage.
For information on closures, please visit www.storycountyiowa.gov/theheart or contact the Story County Conservation Center at 515.232.2516.
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