T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY The first phase of the Main Street reconstruction project will involve Center Street from State south to Church, according to Marshalltown Public Works Director Heather Thomas.

After completing a major construction project on State Street last year, the Marshalltown city council continues to invest significantly in sidewalks, streets and storm sewer.

Specifically, it recently took a major step towards making a $7.9 million major improvement to Main Street.

At its Feb. 10 regular meeting, the council allowed Public Works Director Heather Thomas and staff to release bid documents to contractors for construction work on phase one of the project: Center Street from Church Street to State Street.

Thomas said there are several phases to the project and bids are being let in sections to lessen inconvenience to businesses owners, their customers, vehicle traffic and pedestrians.

Thomas said in an email to the Times-Republican the council will consider the phase one bids at the March 10 council meeting.

She said if all goes according to plan, work on the first phase will begin in April and be completed in mid-August of this year.

Weather and unforeseen factors — such as availability of construction supplies — play a critical role in start and completion dates.

The second phase includes E. Main Steet from Center Street to First Avenue. Thomas said work will begin once phase one is open to traffic. Estimated completion date is mid-December 2025.

Phase Three includes E. Main Street from First Avenue to Third Avenue.

“We anticipate that to be during the 2026 construction season,” Thomas said.

Thomas also said the city is working in partnership with the Marshalltown Community School District and Marshall County depending on what bid alternatives are awarded.

“A more complete project funding package will be presented at the March 10 council meeting after we have received bids and discussed project bid alternatives,” she said.

Access to businesses

Thomas said the design team worked closely with city staff and property owners to stage the project so that access is maintained to each building for most of construction through a five- to six- foot sidewalk along the building storefronts.

She added that it is critical that Marshalltown area residents continue to patronize businesses that are impacted during construction.

“There are very few times when walkable access is not available to the businesses,” she said. “The times where access may are not available are the days when the sidewalk that is directly in front their door is being replaced, or that business has a vault under their front sidewalk that is being removed, or if their existing utility connection – such as a water service line i- is under the sidewalk that is directly in front of their door.”

Thomas said some businesses whose front entrance will not be available for limited times have side or rear entrances for access for customer use, deliveries and so on.

“One of the access ‘hurdles’ will be communicating those access paths as construction progresses, such as a need to access a business from sidewalk to Firs Avenue for one week and the next, you may have to access it from Center Street … we have been working with our project stakeholders to do that.”

Marshalltown Water Works (MWW)

Thomas said a major water main — which lies underground in the five-block project — was installed sometime before 1911 and will be replaced.

A major water main was also replaced during the State Street project.

“It is a very dedicated process trying to maintain water service to businesses during construction while installing a new water main with this ‘vintage’ of infrastructure,” Thomas said. “Many valves do not work – both water main valves and private water service valves. In addition to replacing the nearly 114-year-old water main, new storm sewer infrastructure will be installed.

“When you have three parallel underground utilities that are being removed or reinstalled with an 80-foot-wide corridor — along with perpendicular service lines — and patching pavement above those utility trenches is not cost effective nor does it make for a smooth sidewalk and street surface.

“I would reiterate that the community, residents, businesses, employees and visitors have a role to play in our ability for this project to be successful,” she said. “Please be part of our team that works to make the is project successful.”