Locust Road reconstruction now might be done in one construction season

Members of the Decorah City Council's Streets Committee agree that when work starts on the reconstruction of Locust Road, it will have a lot of impact on neighbors and commuters.

As a result, committee members are now leaning toward trying to get the road project accomplished within one construction season.  Following a discussion Monday night, the current plan would be to get bids on a project to redo Locust Road from College Drive to Pine Crest.  The bid proposals would include an alternate proposal which would add the stretch of Locust Road to Highland Drive and possibly a bid alternate for work further North than Highland.

Earlier plans had been to split the construction project over two years, but Streets Committee members aren't excited about that idea because of the problems it will cause for people in the Locust Road neighborhood.

Street Committee Chair Ross Hadley stated he would like to hold community input meetings in June to gather the public's input on Locust Road improvements.

Federal funding for up to $900,000 has been secured in two phases of the project. Total project costs could be in the range of $5 to $6 million dollars, depending on options and scope of work. Sidewalks, bike lanes, and storm water control features are yet to be determined.