Threat of rain delays Church Street construction

Crews begin work on sidewalks despite Church Street remaining open on Monday. /Matthew Thielke

OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Rain is already causing some delays to another major reconstruction project on Ottumwas south side before it even started.

Church St. was scheduled to be closed from five corners to Ransom St. starting Monday, but the threat of rain caused crews to push the closure back to possibly Monday night.

Once Church St. closes, it will not reopen until full completion in an estimated 10 weeks.

The city will be taking out all of the street and sidewalk to install new water and sewer lines, as well and installing new sidewalks and streetscape designs.

All of this is starting while city is in the middle of another major project on Richmond Ave., just a few blocks away.

There's also a big project going on through the Richmond Ave. corridor, so really that portion of the Southside is very difficult to travel, said Tom Rodgers, Ottumwa Public Information Officer. Drivers do need to be aware of the detours and plan ahead when traveling to avoid delays.

Businesses on Church St. will remain open during the project and access for cars will be available behind the stores.

Anyone with questions about the construction projects is encouraged to contact the Ottumwa City Engineering Department.

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Threat of rain delays Church Street construction