Kenyon Road on the west side of the intersection will be widened and reconfigured to create a center lane to accommodate vehicles turning left. New traffic signals will be installed and the nearby sidewalk that is part of the community’s trail system will be reconstructed.

Castor Construction, of Fort Dodge, was hired by the City Council on Monday to do the work at a cost of $1,291,770.69.

The project is to be done by this fall, at the same time the reconstruction of the westbound lanes of the Kenyon Road Bridge are to be done.

The contract was awarded on a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Dave Flattery casting the lone no vote.

“I just don’t think this should be so high on the priority list,” he said.

He said the roughly $1.3 million to be spent on the project “could be better used elsewhere.” He suggested using it on downtown streets, which he said are crumbling.

Other bidders for the job were Doyle Construction, of Fort Dodge, ($1,399,631.05) and Wicks Construction, of Decorah, ($1,684,660.50).

The council awarded two other infrastructure project contracts Monday by unanimous votes.

Doyle Construction was hired to rebuild the parking lot behind the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S., at a cost of $256,833.

The work will include removing and replacing the pavement, construction of a bioswale on the south side to hold storm water and the installation of storm sewers.

Other bidders for the job were Jensen Builders Ltd., Fort Dodge ($268,040); Castor Construction ($274,716.50); Absolute Group of Granger ($369,995.60) and King-Knutson Construction Inc., Iowa Falls, ($426,768.75).

Doyle Construction was also hired to create a storage lot next to the Fort Dodge Fiber building at 204 S. Eighth St. The company will be paid $98,751.

Other bidders for that job were Castor Construction, ($101,621), Jensen Builders Ltd. ($11,488), TK Concrete, of Pella ($122,655); and King-Knutson Construction Inc., ($177,774.85).