MARSHALL — Part of the goal for a planned Marshall construction project would be to update streets and utilities before major construction on College Drive comes through, city officials said.

This week, Marshall City Council members held a hearing on reconstruction plans for parts of South Hill Street, South Minnesota Street and Charles Avenue. After the hearing, council members gave unanimous approval to advertise for bids on the roughly $1.46 million project.

The planned construction would affect streets along two residential blocks between South Whitney Street and South Minnesota Street, in the neighborhood near Avera Marshall Medical Center. Marshall Director of Public Works Jason Anderson said the project would reconstruct streets and replace the water, sewer and storm sewer lines in the area.

“This area is generally marked by a small diameter water main and old pipe, that we’d like to get replaced,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the street reconstruction would keep the center boulevard running down the streets, similar to what was done during recent construction on South Whitney Street. While the streets would be surfaced with asphalt, the project would also pave two alleyways with concrete.

Anderson said the alleys were where water service lines were for homes in the project area.

“We were already going to be disturbing pretty much the entire alley, so it makes sense to reconstruct it, as opposed to trying to patch it,” he said.

City council member Craig Schafer said the reconstruction project is set back from where the streets connect with East College Drive.

“That’s due to the MnDOT project that’s coming forward,” Schafer said. In 2025 and 2026, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is planning to do a major reconstruction of Highway 19 (College Drive) within the city of Marshall.

“One of the other reasons I think why we promote, or really want to push the timing on this, is to get our project done ahead of the MnDOT project,” Schafer said.

The total estimated project cost, including allowances for contingencies and engineering costs, was $1,463,000, Anderson said.

In two separate motions, council members voted to order the street and utility improvements, and to approve plans and go out for bids on the project.