Main Street make-over ...

The Department of Transportation (DOT) Street Improvement project involving Highways 9 and 76 through Waukon has hit the downtown Main Street area with continued sidewalk improvements and some infrastructure work both above and below ground, some of which is depicted in the surrounding photos. In addition to the typical sidewalk, curb and gutter work that has accounted for a majority of the project thus far along the designated project route, there have also been some discoveries made and other originally known issues requiring further investigation into otherwise unknown sources that have required some extra attention, including the process pictured in the two photos above of replacement of a troubled segment of original storm sewer along the south side of Main Street that is still utilized and ties into the main storm sewer, according to City officials. The replacement of street lights along Main Street is also being accomplished in conjunction with the initial sidewalk improvement work being completed, with foundational work for the new street lights taking place (as evident in the photo at left below) and a new circuitry station (pictured at right below) being installed at the intersection of Main Street and West Street for easier access to the main circuity for the street lights being installed as well as the stoplights which will still be utilized at the intersection of Main Street and Allamakee Street/Rossville Road. Questions about some of the downtown Main Street sidewalks being only half removed were explained by City officials as the remaining half of the sidewalk still offering access to adjacent businesses while the infrastructure work is being completed, but that remaining half will be fully removed immediately prior to new sidewalks being poured, all in an effort to limit interference with business access as much as possible during the project. With weather delays having been experienced throughout the project, City and DOT officials suggest that the current infrastructure work is planned to be completed in the next several weeks so that the street resurfacing can begin in early July. Standard photos by Joe Moses.