Published: October 11, 2006 10:37 am      

Council hears about sewer, street projects

CLINTON — The Clinton City Council received good news Tuesday night about its combined sewer separation work in South Clinton and the development of Liberty Avenue.

When updating the City Council at its committee of the whole session, Gil Janes and his associates from Howard R. Green Co. said the two projects are on schedule and under budget. Council members also learned that the city conceivably has to secure about $2.8 million of the two projects’ $33.5 million total cost.

That $33.5 million covers construction, right-of-way purchases — 173 in all — and engineering costs. John Estrem, a project manager with Howard R. Green, said of the $33.5 million needed, about $28.3 million is in hand and comes from a variety of funding streams, including the state and federal government.

Of the remaining $5.1 million, about $2.3 million could come from sources such as the Iowa Department of Transportation or economic development funds.

“I wouldn’t even call it a dream anymore,” Janes said of the two projects. “It’s a vision.”

The sewer separation work is the first of the two projects to be completed because that work has to be done before Liberty Avenue.

Andrew Marsh, also a project manager with Howard R. Green, showed the council a slide presentation about the work that’s been done in the area. The separation of the sewer, which should be finished by December, will help prevent wastewater discharge into the Mississippi River during a storm. It also will curb flooding near Archer Daniels Midland, and construction of a new road for boaters as they head for the South Fifth Street boat ramp will keep the motorists away from trains in the area.

As for the Liberty Square project, Estrem said the plan is to construct a three-lane Liberty Avenue from 24th Place to South Fourth Street. Three permanent connectors will be constructed, one each at South Fifth Street, 12th Avenue South and 13th Avenue South. Traffic signals will be installed at South Fourth and Fifth streets and there will be a multi-use trail on the south side of Liberty Avenue and a sidewalk on the north side.

Landscaping and streetscaping will include sculptures, including one of a paddlewheel, a plaza and statues that reflect those in Clinton’s downtown area.

Completion of the right-of-way acquisition is set for spring of 2008. Construction bid-letting is expected to take place in the fall of 2008.

The next phase of the work will be Camanche Avenue. Estrem was not able to provide the costs estimate for that project, but believes it will come in at less than the work being done on Liberty Avenue and the sewer system.