MASON CITY — Mason City is pursuing state transportation money for improvements at the busy intersection of Iowa Highway 122 and South Taft Avenue, with Cerro Gordo County officials throwing their support behind the effort.
The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors is being asked to support two city funding applications tied to improvements at the western Mason City gateway.
One would seek funding through the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program, commonly known as ICAAP, for improvements at the Highway 122 and South Taft Avenue intersection. A county resolution says the project is intended to make the intersection safer and more efficient while strengthening access to nearby businesses.
A second request involves Mason City’s application to the State Transportation Alternatives Program for trail improvements in the same corridor.
According to a county letter of support, the project would include a trail and sidewalk within the primary Highway 122 corridor and connect with Mason City’s existing bicycle and pedestrian network.
County officials describe Highway 122 and South Taft Avenue as an important commercial corridor and western gateway into Mason City, serving residents, employees, customers, freight traffic and visitors.
The proposed trail would be located within the existing highway right-of-way and is expected to be constructed while the Highway 122 roadway is reconstructed.
County officials say the connection would help fill a gap in Mason City’s bicycle and pedestrian system while improving safety for people traveling through the area without vehicles.
“The proposed trail will connect multiple existing trail systems, further expanding and strengthening the bicycle and pedestrian network throughout Mason City and Cerro Gordo County,” the county’s letter states.
County officials also argue the project could provide broader economic benefits by improving access to businesses along the corridor and creating a more efficient entrance into the city.
Any changes involving additional highway right-of-way would require Mason City to coordinate with the Iowa DOT and submit necessary design and permitting documents for review.
The county’s proposed resolution specifically supports Mason City’s ICAAP application for intersection improvements, while the separate letter supports the Transportation Alternatives funding request for the trail component.
No estimated project cost or requested grant amount was included in the material presented to supervisors.
The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the letters of support during its September 8 meeting.