Aerial seeding scheduled for Sibley bypass
CHEROKEE, Iowa – Erosion control activities adjacent to the four-lanes of Iowa 60 at the Sibley bypass is scheduled to begin Tuesday, April 8, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (Iowa DOT) Cherokee construction office. Part of this work includes aerial seeding on the outside portions of the roadway. Traffic on Iowa 60 will be maintained at all times.
This method of roadside erosion control has been used by the Iowa DOT for many years because of its cost-saving benefits, ability to cover vast areas and success rate.
MLS Landscape & Design Inc. of Granville is the contractor on the $664,759 project.
You can expect to see the following.
- Flights are conducted during calm periods with winds 10 mph or less, and other suitable weather conditions.
- Ground crews supporting the airplanes will be in motor vehicles with amber lights parked along the roadside at the start and finish of each project area. These vehicles provide a visual, land-based marker to denote the boundaries of the project.
- Seed and fertilizer products will be broadcast over the roadsides from the planes. The seed is lightweight and tan in color. The fertilizer is in a granular form and white-colored.
- Operations may continue throughout the daylight hours, if conditions permit.
- Temporary road signs will be posted in the project areas denoting aerial flights are underway.
- DOT inspectors in state vehicles will be in the area during application.
- Various small aircraft models may be used. The most common model is an Ag-Cat turboprop biplane, typically painted yellow. These planes are equipped with hoppers to disperse the materials and normally carry only the pilot.
- Planes fly 30 to 100 feet above the ground and travel at speeds ranging from 60 to 100 mph.
- The aircraft will make several passes over the same area during the application process. The planes will take off and land periodically to load materials. Their landing sites may include local airports, area landing strips, and county roads and state highways with low traffic volumes. Ground crews, including flaggers, will provide traffic control during the landings and takeoffs. The planes will be on the ground for only brief periods of time.
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