Work on an asphalt overlay project on a major Pella street is expected to start within the next 30 days. Pella Public Works Director Denny Buyert says an eight-block stretch of South Main Street, which turns into Oskaloosa street will be milled and resurfaced later this summer. The project is being funded through federal dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), of which the City of Pella received roughly $354,000. Buyert says the project was chosen because it was already being planned.

“Back when that program [ARRA] started, you had to have a project that you could turn in 90 days, therefore we picked a project that was something that needed milled and overlayed and had been in our plans in the next few years,” said Buyert. “We had chosen this project also, because it [the street] is in fairly poor condition, therefore we think we’ll get the most ‘bang for our buck’.”

Buyert says the work process is expected to take two to three weeks, but cautions that the public will have to find ways around the construction during that time.

“There will be some inconvenience during this project,” said Buyert. “Even though it’s just a mill and overlay, we’re using Federal dollars – this is a substantial project. Therefore, that particular stretch of road will be under full closure, and we’ll be working with adjacent residents and commercial businesses on access.”

The project bid was awarded to Norris Asphalt of Ottumwa, and work will run from South Main Street to Oskaloosa, and then along Oskaloosa to East Third Street.