LE CLAIRE, Iowa — The city of LeClaire is looking at a reconstruction of Wisconsin Street — a major road that runs through the center of the city from Pleasant Valley Junior High School to the riverfront.
As part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, a large federal funding bill working through Congress, city leaders are hoping to get $3 million to offset the estimated $7 million needed for the project.
Marilyn Gearhart drives down the street every week to visit the library for fitness classes, and says the road is in dire need of repair.
"Potholes and rifts going on, and it's dangerous for kids that ride their bicycles," Gearhart said.
Public Works Director Mark Dale said the project is the biggest he's seen in over 15 years.
"2007 was the last time we did anything on this roadway. You can see it's in rough shape," Dale said.
The stretch from Cody Road to 15th Street wouldn't just be repaved — underground utilities and storm water drainage would be improved.
"We'll have curb and gutter, from one end to the other of the city, which we're hoping it'll alleviate a lot of our problems that we have throughout the city, storm water issues that we have," Dale explained.
The city wants to connect the development with other infrastructure projects, like the new parking lot being built at Wisconsin & 2nd St. In addition, sidewalks will be improved and the bike path extended from the junior high school.
"If you're on the road, you'll notice how many people walk in the street, walk their dogs, how much time other forms of transportation are actually in the roadway," city administrator Dennis Bockenstedt said. "That will be one of the big benefits, is getting those people off the roadway, onto sidewalks, onto trails."
News 8 spoke with some neighbors on Wisconsin Street living in a historic home, who said they're worried about the project because of problems with road construction in the past, saying that road work damaged trees next to their house. They added that they'll wait to see the proposed project before deciding whether or not to support it.
With the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 7 of our hometowns have community funding projects proposed. In total, the amount is more than $14 million:
- $2 million for the City of Mediapolis Wastewater Improvement Project
- $1 million for the City of Winfield Wastewater Improvement Project
- $1 million for the City of Morning Sun Wastewater Improvement Project
- $3 million for the City of LeClaire Wisconsin Street Reconstruction Project
- $3.4 million for the City of DeWitt East Industrial Street Extension Project
- $2 million for the North Scott Community School District Regional Innovation Center Project
- $2 million for the City of Wilton 5th Street Gateway Improvement Project
President Biden hasn't received that federal spending plan yet, but LeClaire's city planners are still continuing their work and look to present road designs to city council in April 2024.
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