Hinton Residents Discuss Major Highway Project at Public Hearing

HINTON, Iowa (KTIV) – Dozens of Hinton residents gathered at city hall on June 17 to share their thoughts on a significant roadway project proposed by the Iowa Department of Transportation.

The project aims to reconstruct approximately .7 miles of U.S. Highway 75, creating a divided four-lane section throughout the town. Currently, the divided lanes only exist at the north and south edges of Hinton.

As part of the plans, left-turning lanes would be added at Main Street and County Road C-60. A new northbound right turn lane is also proposed to help manage traffic at the nearby train crossing. This upgrade targets improved safety and traffic flow on the highway.

“The project has been discussed for many years. I want to say that, for almost 20 years, this project has been under consideration,” said Sarah Tracy, District 3 Transportation Planner for Iowa DOT. “We’re proposing a four-lane divided section through town with a raised median due to safety concerns, especially at the intersection of US 75 and Main Street.”

The preliminary plan also includes a 5-foot-wide sidewalk extending from Grover Street to north of Maple Street. Construction costs are estimated at $13.6 million, based on 2025 costs.

Tracy emphasized the importance of community feedback, stating, “We want to hear from people. There may be impacts that we haven’t discovered or aren’t thinking of. It truly is public input we need to ensure we’re doing the right thing.”

The project may affect two historic buildings on Hinton’s main street—the Bank of Hinton and Haas-Shuenk Hardware. Tracy noted that while their relocation was considered, it was ultimately decided against after consultations with the state Historical Preservation Office.

Iowa DOT is collecting public feedback until July 31. After the input phase, they will draft a preliminary design, conduct an environmental assessment, and devise a final design. Right of way acquisition, necessary for land use, must also be completed before construction, anticipated to start in summer 2029.