(SBA) - The Contractor for the First Street Reconstruction Project has completed the paving work for Phase 1 of the project, one week ahead of the deadline given to the affected businesses (Mike’s Mini-Mart, PUB52, Sergeant Bluff Dental, and Midstates Bank). “The City appreciates the patience and understanding of the businesses and hopes the community gets out and supports them this summer, as well as all of our local businesses”, City Administrator Aaron Lincoln said.
The next phase of construction will impact the intersections of Prairie Bluff Drive, Gaul Drive, Baker Drive, Vandenberg Circle, and Windsor Way (west). It extends from Prairie Bluff Drive east to Kiwanis Park and involves removing the existing street and replacing it with a three-lane street with curb and gutter and intakes, replacement of sidewalks and extension of a 10 feet wide trail, and some limited water and sanitary sewer utility work. The deadline for completion of Phase 2 is mid-August to accommodate the start of the school year. This is by far the most detailed and complex portion of the project and has the greatest effect on traffic for the local neighborhoods”, says Lincoln. There will be no through traffic between Lakeport and South Lewis Boulevard.
A closure and access map was made available to the community ahead of the Phase 2 road closures via City website and social media. The map can be accessed by the public through the City website by entering: https://cityofsergeantbluff.com/first-street-east-construction-project/ Oak Hill and Camelot residents will be required to use Wilde and Roundtable to access Lakeport Road, while the Meadowbrook residents will need to use Windsor (east) and Windham Street to access Lakeport Road. Access to Baker Museum, Community Methodist Church and the Splashpad Park will be along Wilde to Baker Drive.
The First Street Reconstruction Project was a result of a comprehensive plan study in 2016 that identified the First Street corridor as a top project to rehabilitate and beautify. The current project has $1.794 million in Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) funds assisting in the funding of the $2.60 million construction contract. The project was approved by City Council as the current two-lane road was insufficient for the growing community and existing paving infrastructure has been failing in certain areas. The work will help to modernize the street and provide better access for the vehicle and pedestrian traveling public. The trail extension connects the existing trail at the Interstate 29 interchange and will connect to the Loess Hills Connector Trail to Sioux City along the west side of Lakeport Road. The purpose of the phasing is to allow all of the street construction to be completed in one construction season.
