For approximately three years, the City of Kalona has been working on a project to improve sidewalks, making for a safer walking system in town. The project will have to wait just a bit longer, as the awarding of contracts for the project had to be tabled at the most recent Kalona City Council meeting. City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh says they didn’t get the updated contracts in time for the meeting, so he believes the bids will be awarded at the first council meeting of April.

Schlabaugh says the project will focus on three walking routes in the city, “We’re going to do some new sidewalks on H Avenue north of the middle school. We’re also going to connect 6th (Street) from the elementary all the way up to the cemetery. And south of Highway 22, connect 6th on the west side all the way to A Avenue. So it’ll provide a better link to those individuals living south of A Avenue to be able to access the schools, and give them a little better route to take.” The city has been working with the state on the project. Schlabaugh believes the city is close to the finish line on their end of the project, and hopes the construction will begin in the coming weeks.