Busy Fifth Avenue South in Fort Dodge will be the site of a major construction project starting Monday.

Beginning on that day, westbound traffic in the 2400 block will be restricted to one lane so that a turning lane can be built for the Nestle Purina PetCare plant.

The traffic restriction will be in place until the work is completed.

The turning lane has been planned for more than a year as a way to support the expansion of the plant. Nestle Purina PetCare is investing $175 million to add a new product line to the plant, which makes canned cat food. That investment includes an 80,000-square-foot building expansion.

The project will create 50 net new jobs with starting wages ranging from $27 to $30 per hour.

The turning lane is intended to reduce the risk of westbound vehicles being struck from behind as they slow down to enter the plant.

In May, the City Council hired Absolute Concrete Inc., of Granger, to do the work at a cost of $372,662.

The city has received a $344,450 state grant to help pay for the project. The Webster County Board of Supervisors has committed to providing the remaining needed money.