With the construction of a new high school in the Adel-DeSoto-Minburn School District in the works, a public informational meeting was held with the Iowa Department of Transportation to discuss a road change along U.S. Highway 169.

A meeting was held inside the ADM High School Commons area  this past Tuesday in conjunction with the City of Adel and the school district to talk about a new roundabout that is being created at the intersection of Highway 169 and Common Place, near the entrance of the new high school on the south side of town. According to DOT District Engineer Scott Schram, the meeting topics included acquiring a traffic signal alternative, pedestrian safety, and plans to solve traffic concerns for the remainder of the highway north of the project.

Adel Mayor Jim Peters clarifies that the roundabout is being constructed, after some residents at the meeting were trying to voice their concerns. Schram explains the roundabout is being put in for safety and the school district hired a consultant for the study, which was thoroughly reviewed by the DOT. He states that roundabouts reduce fatalities by 90 percent and overall injury crashes by 76 percent. 

Schram indicates that the project cost is estimated at $2.2 million and they are working to determine detours that drivers will need to utilize. He pinpoints the bid letting is scheduled for January of 2026 with construction slated to start next spring. According to ADM Superintendent Greg Dufoe, the new high school is scheduled to be completed in summer of 2027.