COLDWATER, MI — The Coldwater City Council has approved three construction contracts to deliver new sidewalks, fresh pavement, and a complete rebuild of one of the city’s roughest streets.
The largest contract, $937,198 with Rieth Riley Construction, will reconstruct Morse Street from US 12 to Smith Street.
The project will replace the deteriorated roadway, upgrade underground utilities, add new curb and gutter, improve storm drainage, and rebuild sidewalks and drive approaches along the busy north–south route.
Most construction is scheduled for summer, when nearby schools are out, with work extending into fall and some traffic impacts expected.
Sidewalks
Council awarded the 2026 sidewalk installation and repair program to Parish Excavating of Quincy for $161,222.
The work will focus on the north side of West Chicago Street between South Clay Street and Munson.
The project will fill sidewalk gaps in subdivisions such as Northshore, Arrowhead, Thompson Boulevard, and Amber View Court.
Special assessments will cover some costs for vacant platted lots.
Liberty Street will be repaved between Marshall and Grand under a $220,249 contract with Excell Paving.The project includes new asphalt, stormwater improvements, and concrete repairs.
City officials said five contractors submitted close bids, and the winner plans to start work in mid- to late May.
The city’s engineering consultant reviewed and recommended all three low bids.
City Manager Keith Baker said smaller neighborhood projects, like Seely and Michael streets in the Second Ward, are postponed to future years as engineering and budgets align.
Project pending bids
Baker told the council that an even larger project on East and West Pearl streets will be bid in the coming weeks.
The projects include a 4-inch water main replacement on East Pearl Street from Elm toSprague streets.
Storm sewer replacements will be completed on Hudson Street from US-12 to Pearl Street and on East Pearl Street from Jefferson to Monroe Street.
Manhole replacements will occur throughout, along with sanitary sewer replacements on Pearl Street.
Patches in the street are from lead water line replacements completed last year.
Marshall Street is slated for a full reconstruction once design work and funding are secured, possibly over the next two budget years.
On March 9, the City Council decided to fully rebuild Marshall Street rather than just mill and pave.
The street already has over 40 utility patches and uneven manholes from last year’s lead line replacements. Officials say resurfacing would be a short-term fix for a failing concrete base on the heavily used corridor.
The city estimates that the full Church-to-State Street reconstruction of Marshall will cost about $3 million.
Contact Don Reid, dReid@USATodayCo.Com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: See what streets and sidewalks will be repaired in Coldwater this summer
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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