Progress Report on Main Street in Milbank

John Forman, Milbank City Administrator, reports, “When it’s happening, work on the downtown streets is going very well, and when it’s not, we are all frustrated.”

According to Forman, “All sanitary sewer and water services were fixed in the 200 block of Main Street and storm sewer was installed up to the Third Avenue intersection. Fabric and gravel were placed along with crushed concrete to solidify the base. The sidewalks were completed in the 100 block of Main Street, except for the block outs for the light poles.” Forman says he expects them to be filled this week. Light poles were also installed last Thursday in the 100 block of Main Street.

Rain has again been causing delays. The engineering firm first needs to stake the curb and gutter to allow the subcontractor to pour the curb and gutter. After the curb and gutter is placed, the trenching in of the underground work for the lighting is next, and then the sidewalk. During that process, the footings for the light poles will also be placed.

“I anticipate the Third Avenue intersection and the 300 block could be closed off by September 16, but I’ll do my best to keep you posted on that,” Forman says. “Things are kind of helter-skelter at the moment with one task waiting for another to be completed. But, that is construction at this time of the year as demands on contractors start to really heat up. I anticipate we will still get the majority of this project, if not all, completed and the pavement down before winter comes around.”