A controversial plan to convert part of North 15th Street from four lanes to three lanes originated in a state Department of Transportation report, Fort Dodge city officials said Monday evening.

The North 15th Street proposal was not on the City Council agenda for any action, but a handful of citizens brought it up during the time set aside during the meeting for questions and comments from the public.

One resident asked how the project came about.

Mayor Matt Bemrich replied that there was a state report and traffic safety improvement money was to be made available to help pay for projects in the report.

Following the meeting, Chad Schaeffer, the city’s chief development officer, provided more details. He said in 2017 the Iowa Department of Transportation published a report on four-lane roads throughout the state that could be converted to three lanes. He said that report specifically listed North 15th Street in Fort Dodge.

He said both himself and the staff at Snyder and Associates, an Ankeny-based engineering firm that has a Fort Dodge office, read the report.

He said that he applied for the first state grant for the project in 2021.

During a May 20 public meeting, engineers from Snyder and Associates introduced the plan.

Its major elements include:

• Reconfiguring the street from four lanes to three lanes between Second and 20th avenues north.

• Rebuilding the intersection of Second Avenue North and 15th Street.

• Concrete patching between Third Avenue North and Floral Avenue.

• Repaving between the bridge over Soldier Creek and 20th Avenue North.

• Installing new traffic lights.

• Marking the street to provide northbound and southbound bike lanes.

• Removing some trees to improve visibility.

The project has a $4.75 million estimated cost. About $2.25 million of the money would come from the state, with the rest coming from the city.

The conversion to three lanes and the addition of bike lanes have generated all of the public criticism.

“The project is currently under discussion as far as the scope of the project,” City Manager David Fierke said.

Resident Richard Higgins asked how much Snyder and Associates has been paid for its work.

About $600,000, Fierke replied, with that money coming from the state grant and the 1 percent local option sales tax.

“Wouldn’t that $600,000 be better spent fixing our streets?” Higgins asked. He walked away from the podium without waiting for an answer.

Bemrich said more information about the plan will be presented at the June 24 council meeting.