Photo by Deb Gau Signs at the intersections of Third Street and Main Street in Marshall warn motorists that part of the street will be closed starting next week. This summer the city of Marshall will be reconstructing utilities and streets on parts of Third Street and Lyon Street downtown.

MARSHALL — With the return of warm weather in Minnesota comes construction season. This week, signs in Marshall’s downtown are warning motorists of a major upcoming project on portions of Third Street and West Lyon Street.

“North Third Street, from Main Street to West Redwood Street, will be closed for the first phase of the project,” said Marshall Public Works Director Jason Anderson.

The two blocks of Third Street affected by construction will close starting April 17.

The city will be replacing utility lines and reconstructing the street, Anderson said.

“There’s a lot of work there,” he said.

First, the plan is for contractor R&G Construction to do underground work for utilities. The city plans to replace existing water mains, storm sewer and sanitary sewer lines. After the utility work would come grading and paving work.

As part of the project, one block of Third Street will become a one-way street. The traffic signal at the intersection of Main Street and Third will also be changed. The traffic signal heads facing Third Street will be removed, but the signal to cross Main Street will stay in place.

In spite of the road closure, the public should still have access to businesses on Third Street, Anderson said. He said Lyon Street will remain open during this phase of the project, which will also give people access to parking in the three public lots on Lyon Street. The sidewalks on Third Street will also be accessible as much as possible for pedestrians, he said.

Drop boxes for the Marshall Post Office will also remain accessible through the alley behind the Post Office, Anderson said.

People who want to use the drop boxes will need to enter the alley at North Fourth Street, and exit by going down the alley past Third Street onto East College Drive.

The first phase of construction may last into July, Anderson said.

“We ask for patience as we work on replacing necessary city utilities and installing a new concrete street and sidewalk surface in this area,” Anderson said.

After that, the city would move on to construction work on Lyon Street. The goal is to have the downtown project completed in October, he said.

One portion of the project, the reconstruction of the Addison parking lot at the corner of Lyon Street and College Drive, could potentially be completed later than that, he said.