Linn County Secondary Roads Maintenance Facilities

Building Better Backroads

Mike Drahos, P.E., Mechanical Engineer, Office Manager

The Linn County Secondary Roads Department maintains over 1,150 miles of roads and 255 bridges across rural Iowa—an essential service that demands reliable infrastructure and well-equipped facilities. To support these operations, the County partnered with West Plains Engineering on two key projects aimed at improving fleet management and operational efficiency.

The first was a 25,000-square-foot fleet facility in Morgan Creek, designed for indoor vehicle storage and minor maintenance. With a $9.5 million budget, the building included an office, mezzanine, workshop, wash bay, and expansive vehicle bays. Site infrastructure such as fuel dispensing, septic system, well, LP tank, and emergency generator was integrated through coordinated MEP design.

Mechanical systems supported fleet operations with plumbing for sand/oil separators, compressed air, and LP or electric water heaters. HVAC included an LP furnace for the office and infrared heaters with cross-flow ventilation for vehicle bays. Electrical systems provided high-bay LED lighting, power distribution to equipment, and site utilities, including backup power for critical loads.

Following the successful completion of the fleet facility in 2023, the County brought the team back for a second initiative: a 75,500-square-foot headquarters and 8,600 square feet of phased renovations to its existing headquarters. This $14.5 million project is currently under construction and will add new offices, a parking garage, fleet vehicle storage, and a vehicle maintenance shop.

Renovation work includes HVAC and electrical upgrades across the second and third floors, with field verification required due to limited existing documentation. The second floor will receive a full HVAC system replacement with chilled water cooling, hot water heating, and VAV terminals. Plumbing supports new break room amenities, and fire protection systems will be modified to suit updated layouts. Electrical work includes lighting, power distribution, and rough-ins for communications, access control, and security systems.

These projects reflect Linn County’s ongoing efforts to modernize its infrastructure and support essential public services. The continued collaboration with West Plains Engineering highlights the value of consistent, well-coordinated design across a range of facility types.