Shift in US 65 project in Mason City takes place next week

MASON CITY — Progress continues on the US Highway 65 reconstruction project in the southern part of Mason City. 

Pete Hjelmstad with the Iowa Department of Transportation says a big change will come next week as another phase of the project begins. “Starting next Monday, from 10th Street down to 15th Street, not including the intersection, but just north of it, that pavement is going to get torn out as well so the contractor can move ahead with the underground work. The underground work being done from 6th to 10th, that means the paving contractor can move in and get it ready for paving and start paving.”

Hjelmstad says access to businesses in that corridor will still be available. “All businesses will be accessible through side streets and alleys, except for Wendy’s and A-1 Auto. They are kind of landlocked. So what we are doing is we are leaving the pavement in from 12th Street up to Wendy’s. If you want to get to Wendy’s or A-1 Auto, you’ll have to take more likely Pennsylvania up to 12th Street, back over to 65, and then you’ll be able to go up to Wendy’s. So we’re leaving that in so you can still get to those businesses.”

Construction on the entire US Highway 65 project is expected to be wrapped up by the end of November.