Audrain County Presiding Commissioner Dick Webber and Eastern District County Commissioner Roger Young met with approximately 30 area residents Thursday at County Road 449 as the residents voiced their concerns about CR448 and CR449 being closed and in dire need of repair.

Webber explained there have been problems with 448 for several years regarding the creek that flows under a bridge there. When there is high water, it comes along beside the road and eats into the road. This year's excessive rainfall has caused tremendous damage to the road and has eroded the sides of the road leaving it unsafe for motorists to use. The road has been closed since early summer and it needs to be elevated at least two feet, if not more, but due to the heavy rains there has not been enough time or enough dry dirt to build up the road.

Harry Riechers, speaking on behalf of Ted Schoneboom who was unable attend the meeting, stated Schoneboom would be willing to donate dirt from his farm to help build up the road. Riechers talked to the Corps of Engineers and was told they could put riprap along the road to eliminate further erosion. Riechers said he had application forms to be completed for the permit which could take up to 60 days to be approved.

Webber said the road crew is ready. "The road crew has the time between now and cold weather and we do have the money," stated Webber.

However, Webber explained it would take them (the commission) up to two weeks to come up with a design and then it would have to be advertised for bids. So it could take at least a minimum of a month to get things moving on the project.

Riechers added that Schoneboom has several cows and would need hay within the next 60 days, and it takes time for him to detour around the closed road.
When resident Steve Goshorn asked Webber if a priority could be put on the design, Webber said this was possible.

When asked if FEMA or SEMA could help, Webber said no. "This was a problem prior to the (this year's) flooding," stated Webber. Webber went on to inform the group that FEMA money is coming for other roads that were damaged from this year's floods, but not roads 448 and 449.
Another concern from the residents is the sign at the road stating "Road Work Ahead." Goshorn wants to see the sign changed. "The sign says road work and people think they can go through there," said Goshorn. He added once  motorists realize the road is closed they have problems getting out because there is no place to turn around.

Goshorn noted he previously called the county shed barn and asked about putting up a sign stating the road is closed and was told it would be replaced but as of Thursday it had not been changed. Webber told the group the sign would be changed.

As for CR449 which runs adjacent to an irrigation lake which has overflowed, Webber said county road crews would gravel it and open it up as soon as possible but if it flooded from the lake again they would close it.