Le Mars council authorizes engineering study for Business Highway 75 reconstruction

The Le Mars City Council at its meeting authorized staff to solicit proposals from engineering firms to design reconstruction of Business Highway 75, voting to move forward with a study rather than approving construction funding.

Council members debated whether to continue year‑by‑year repairs or pursue a complete replacement now. One speaker said doing a one‑time full replacement would save about $60 per square yard compared with incremental repairs and estimated a full replacement would last 20 to 25 years. Concerns were raised about underlying utilities, with speakers noting sanitary sewer, storm sewer and nearby manholes may need inspection; the transcript referenced work by the local utility (referred to as “Mid America” in the meeting).

Councilmember (unnamed) moved to authorize staff to request design proposals for full removal and reconstruction of Business Highway 75; the motion received a second and passed on a voice vote. The motion did not include an amount for design services; council members said staff will solicit proposals and return with costs for the design work.

Council members urged staff to consider utility coordination and to inspect for cracks not visible at driving speed. One councilmember recommended extending the reconstruction to the fold down (the point referenced on the corridor) if the project proceeds. The council did not commit construction funding at the meeting and limited action to authorizing an engineering design solicitation.