Photo by Sam Thiel Workers left signs, markers and cones along South Fourth Street on Wednesday in preparation of construction work to begin this week, according to city of Marshall announcement on Tuesday.

MARSHALL — A South Fourth Street construction project is finally underway thanks to a revised plan submitted by city staff.

The city of Marshall announced this week that R & G Construction Co. will begin construction activities this week on South Fourth Street between Southview Drive and Country Club Drive. The contractor will begin with removing the existing roadway. City staff recommended that only local traffic and no thru traffic during pavement removal.

After the roadway is removed, the contractor will begin underground construction and the roadway will be closed to all traffic.

The original project proposal faced negative feedback over sidewalks and street width during a public hearing on Feb. 26. A revised plan was approved by the city council on March 10.

The city is planning to reconstruct South Fourth Street between Elaine Avenue and Country Club Drive. Besides rebuilding the street, the project would replace water and sewer mains, and realign the intersection of Camden Drive and Fourth Street so the streets meet at a 90-degree angle.

The revised proposal would keep South Fourth Street at its current width, and keep the on-street bike lane that is also currently there. Marshall Public Works Director Jason Anderson said existing sidewalks on the west side of the road would be replaced, but there wouldn’t be any new sidewalks added on the east side.

The estimated cost of the project would be about $3.4 million, including contingency and engineering costs, he said. The street reconstruction would follow city assessment policies, with Marshall Municipal Utilities and city wastewater and stormwater fees covering part of the cost, and homeowners being assessed for part. Anderson said the city would also use state aid funds to cover some of the balance.

Construction is anticipated to continue until November. City staff urges motorists to plan for an alternate route and expect some traffic delays in the surrounding areas.