Ottumwa prepares for Church Street reconstruction

Map of the affected area of the future project on Church Street. /Matthew Thielke

OTTUMWA, IOWA -- A major construction project will shut down two blocks of Church Street on Ottumwas south side for over two months.

That's what city officials told the public at the informational neighborhood meeting concerning the upcoming Church Street reconstruction project.

The city says starting on April 6, Church Street will be closed from Ransom to Richmond Streets.

During the 10-week project, the city will be installing a new water main along with storm and sanitation lines, as well as putting in new sidewalks.

Ottumwa City Administrator Joe Helfenberger says federal and state grants are the only reason these projects can happen.

We are very happy to be able to do these projects, and the only reason we are able to do as much construction as we can is because the city is gotten about 76 percent grants for the last two years, Helfenberger said.

The city says they are creating custom signs for detouring traffic around the area.

All businesses on Church Street will remain open during the construction work.

The city encourages anyone with questions about the reconstruction project to call or visit city hall.

View original post here:
Ottumwa prepares for Church Street reconstruction