Maquoketa lands $3.8 million federal grant for major road project

MAQUOKETA, Iowa — A $3.8 million federal grant could help pay for the largest-ever municipal construction project in Maquoketa.

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant for the project along Platt Street/Iowa 64 — the main east-west artery through town.

The grant was awarded for a $9.5 million project that would feature the total reconstruction of Platt Street and the installation of new storm and sewer mains and a fiber-optic network for broadband.

“We feel like this grant means that others are taking notes of our community investment and we really believe it will move the community forward,” said Maquoketa Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Wendy McCartt.

Iowa Department of Transportation officials also have tentatively agreed to provide $3 million for the project, according to City Manager Gerald Smith.

If approved by City Council members, taxpayers will cover the remaining $2.7 million of the project’s cost.

That represents a radical reduction in the city’s estimated cost since the project was considered last year. At that time, the DOT had committed to chipping in $1.4 million for the roadwork and the federal grant had not been secured yet. (Full Article)

BY ERICA LYONS  erica.lyons@telegraphherald.com

Reposted with permission from TH Media