Most of the alleys in downtown Newton are going to be repaved. The Newton City Council voted unanimously Monday night to put the work for that project out for bid. Newton Mayor Evelyn George says the repaving comes as Alliant Energy has removed the overhead steel transmission line structures that were in the downtown alleys.

“Alliant is moving more of those transmission lines underground and then removing the “H”-structures that hold the lines, which improves our traffic flow and parking in the alleyways. It also looks much nicer to have those removed. The City agreed that once that was done, the alleys would be repaved.”

George says if possible, it’s hoped the repaving could occur yet this year, but if not, it will be done next spring. The bid opening is scheduled for September 4th. The engineer’s estimate for the repaving is $350,000. City Bond revenue will be used to complete the project.