Key Cooperative is highly concerned about the detour route for the Iowa DOT’s proposed reconstruction project of Highway 14 in Newton. The proposal indicates full closure of the corridor from South of N 4th Avenue W to North of High Avenue during construction from the fall of 2026 through the late fall of 2027.

While we note that the DOT intends for contractors to work with property owners to maintain access, the proposed detour via US Hwy 6 and County Road F17, does not address local and farm-to-market traffic to provide the level of safe, dependable and direct access necessary for an operation of this scale and is therefore unacceptable. 

1. Re-evaluate phased reconstruction of the intersections at North 23rd Ave. and North 4th Ave. to minimize disruption during peak planting and harvest periods and be completed prior to any reconstruction activity between those points. 
2. Allow local and farm-to-market traffic to detour via West 28th Street North during reconstruction North or South of our facility. 
3. Clear access facility commitments prior to the project letting in July 2026.