Trachta v. Iowa State Highway Commission

Plaintiffs own a 160-acre farm located about 1% miles south of Cedar Rapids in Linn County, Iowa. Relocation of Highway 218 by the State Highway Commission required a strip of land along the east side of the farm totaling 4.62 acres. In addition to the land taken, certain grading, paving, and culvert replacements on and under the new highway were alleged to have affected adversely the use, occupancy and enjoyment of the farm. The new 200-foot highway, with a 24-foot cement pavement running north and south, replaced a 60-foot county gravel roadway lying east of and abutting 120 acres of…