5500 Westown Parkway, Suite 190
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
5500 Westown Parkway, Suite 190
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Iowa's Seventh General Assembly passed several road laws in 1858, a number of which remain in effect today. Included in those road laws was language calling for township trustees who were to establish road districts in each township and to appoint a superintendent for each road district.
In 1860, the General Assembly changed the landscape by creating County Boards of Supervisors. Their assigned tasks included responsibility of constructing and maintaining roads and bridges with the authority to levy taxes to accomplish their mission. County engineers were not yet part of the mix. Although people understood the benefits of having someone with training and experience oversee construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, the transition from horse to motor vehicle based transport made it a requirement after the turn of the century.
The Legislature first authorized counties to employ a competent person to prepare plans and specifications for county roads and bridges in 1911. Two years later, in 1913, the hiring of a competent engineer became mandatory.
The Bergman Secondary Road Act of 1929 increased the role of the county engineer by giving them greater responsibility by placing all roads, bridge, and culverts with the exception of state highway sand city streets under the direct supervision of county supervisors and the county engineer.
Specifically, Iowa Code section 309.17 requires county boards of supervisors to employ "one or more registered civil engineers who shall be known as county engineers." The board also fixes the term of employment which cannot exceed three years but it can terminate the tenure at any time. Iowa Code section 309.21 specifies that all construction and maintenance activities be performed under the direct and immediate supervision of the county engineer. It also holds the engineer responsible for the efficient and economical of said work. The engineer needs to be familiar with all the requirements of Iowa Code section 309, plus many other Code sections, pertaining to county engineering work.
Legal authority over the secondary roads system is vested in each county's Board of Supervisors. The Engineer professionally advises the Board in establishing the goals, projects, and maintenance practices needed to provide the public with adequet transportation facilities. Once a plan is determined, the engineer - with the Board's support - carries out the actions needed to fulfill all objectives.
Road construction as it was performed in the early 1900s.
The Engineer's office handles the various tasks involved in operating a road system. It maintains records, issues permits, issues notifications, pays bills, handles HR duties, receives citizen requests, and prepares paperwork for projects.
The Engineer's office handles the various tasks involved in operating a road system. It maintains records, issues permits, issues notifications, pays bills, handles HR duties, receives citizen requests, and prepares paperwork for projects.
The Engineering office inventories the roadway, bridge, culvert and pavement assets contained within the network, assesses and tracks the condition and needs thereof; then develops programs of work, designs, develops and lets projects, and performs field inspection work.
The Maintenance division keeps the roads open, performs preventive maintenance, repairs partially deteriorated roads and bridges, and installs traffic control/safety devices.
Click on a specific county to get engineer information and public county website.
All Iowa county engineers become members of ICEA. This professional / business association represents and guides county engineers in the setting of operational and design standards, negotiating compliance with state and federal requirements, continuing education, relations with the county supervisors association, and recognition of superior service.
Brian Keierleber, Buchanan County
Phone: 319-334-6031
Fax: 319-334-9951
Email: [email protected]
Andrew McGuire, Keokuk and Mahaska County
Phone: 641-622-2610
Fax: 641-622-3637
Email: [email protected]
John Rasmussen, Pottawattamie County
Phone: 712-328-5608
Fax: 712-328-4751
Email: [email protected]
The Service Bureau supports all county engineers and their staff members by supplying technology solutions that enhance efficiency. The ICEASB website provides a forum in which engineers can stay informed on issues, share knowledge, access apps and download information. A second website, called TPMS (for Transportation Program Management System) supports the planning, programming and development of road/bridge construction agendas not only for counties, but also for all other road agencies in Iowa.
NACE provides a forum in which county engineers from across the country can pool their voices to engage with the Federal Highway Administration, Congress and other national organizations.
ISAC is composed of and represents the collective interests of all Iowa county government officials, of which County Engineers are a member group. ISAC provides educational schools twice a year, represents county interests at the state legislature and helps research legal issues.
This branch of the Iowa DOT provides guidance to counties (and other local road agencies) on compliance with state laws, fulfillment of federal aid requirements, establishment of design standards, reporting, and fund availability.
This board oversees the identification, funding and implement of highway/bridge research projects in Iowa, with the goal of helping advance the knowledge and technology of those to build and operate the road system.