The Jasper County Board of Supervisors this week approved some federal funding that is going to help improve access to the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge southwest of Prairie City. Jasper County Engineer Mike Frietsch says phase one of the road improvement project is about to go out for bid.

“West 129th Street South from basically Highway163 down to South 96th Avenue West is the first phase. It’s going to get cement stabilized and two layers of oil and 3-quarters inch road stone. Then South 96th Avenue West as well from West 129th Street South all the way through. That’s the first phase, basically the loop from Highway 163 over to Pacific Street.”

The County Engineer says several safety issues along the phase one route will be addressed as well, including broken box culverts and soil erosion. Total Federal money for the project according to Frietsch is $2,275,000. He believes that will cover phase one. Phase two of the proposed improvements involve South 102nd Avenue West to the refuge’s maintenance road, and West 129th Street South to South 102nd Avenue West.