Council authorizes bids for Ninth Street reconstruction and lead‑service‑line work; project described as large, multi‑component effort

The International Falls City Council on April 7 authorized advertising for bids for a full reconstruction of Ninth Street from Third Avenue to Eleventh Avenue, combining major water and sewer work, lead service line replacement and a multi‑use bike/pedestrian trail. The motion to advertise bids passed 5‑0.

Why it matters: Council and public‑works staff said the project is a full reconstruction, not a mill‑and‑overlay, and will replace aging utilities, upgrade a 4‑inch cast‑iron water main to a minimum 6‑inch main and address lead service lines on Fifth and Sixth streets where grant funding is available. Combining utility replacement with street work makes the project eligible for additional state grant funding and reduces long‑term repair costs.

Project scope and funding

Public‑works director Ted Broca described the scope: "It's complete reconstruction, water and sewer enforcement, street lighting. Complete reconstruction." He told councilors the planned corridor will include curb and gutter, a boulevard, two‑way traffic and "a multi‑use bituminous trail on the north side" that functions like a sidewalk but is paved in bituminous (blacktop). Broca said part of the design choice — an 8‑foot bituminous trail on one side instead of sidewalks on both sides — was driven by cost and by criteria necessary to secure a $1.5 million local roads improvement grant.

Councilors and staff later characterized the project in the meeting as a roughly $9,000,000 undertaking, with about $2,000,000 proposed from the city’s 1% sales tax fund to support the reconstruction. Broca said full reconstruction with new utilities in past projects has cost about $875,000 per block, while smaller mill‑and‑overlay work can run $25,000–$30,000 per block. Officials said combining watermain upsizing and lead service replacement improves the city’s chance of grant funding that covers work from the water main to the curb and, in some programs, into the home for the homeowner’s portion of the service line.

Connectivity and long‑term plans

Councilor Betty (referred to by first name in the meeting) and Public Works staff noted the Ninth Street trail will connect to the existing Batumanas Trail and, ultimately, to future trail work planned for state route reconstruction in 2029. The connectivity goal is to join trail and sidewalk networks across town and to improve access between the high school and downtown.

What remains: The council authorized advertising for bids; bids will be evaluated when received and the council retains the option to reject unfavorable bids. Staff noted parts of the local and state funding mix are budgeted but that final construction contracts will depend on bid results and grant awards.

Ending

The council approved bid advertisement 5‑0 and directed staff to proceed with procurement steps and further grant coordination.