September’s 5.71 inches of rain here in Atlantic didn’t help efforts to complete the reconstruction of 7th Street/Highway 6. Iowa DOT District 4 Transportation Coordinator Scott Suhr, in Atlantic, says not much progress was made over the past few weeks, due to the rain.  With mostly drier weather this week, crews have been able to get some work done.

Looking east from 7th & Mulberry

Looking west from 7th & Mulberry

Work is underway on sidewalks, and they’re setting up to pour a 25-foot east section of the mainline this Friday. Once that’s done and cured, crews can start working on a 16-foot section of the southern portion of the road. Suhr says he expects (weather permitting), the project will finally be completed in about three-weeks.

Wet weather isn’t the only problem that could affect completion of the project. Temperatures are dropping. Suhr says if overnight temperatures get below freezing and stays there, that could affect how the concrete cures. So far though, that hasn’t been a problem, and they don’t expect it to be an issue prior to completion of the project.

Various issues have affected the project since it began, but Suhr says that’s to be expected. He says he knows the detours have been frustrating for both motorists and businesses along the road, but most people have been understanding.