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The Beat: Construction projects continue to move along
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MONROE - Summer may be winding down, but there's plenty of time left for construction work.

Troy Ludwig, owner of T Ludwig Construction, is waiting for Cleary crews to finish up his storage units in the North Business and Industrial Park.

Work came almost to a halt earlier in the week, waiting for materials from a change order.

Cleary foreman Eric Zillox said he is "pretty much" ready to hand the building over to Ludwig, hopefully by the end of the week.

Then Erickson Plumbing & Heating will install the drains, and A-1 Electric will install the electrical wiring.

Ludwig said he is looking at opening for business in early September.

"I still have some interior walls to finish up and the gravel for the driveway," he said.

Part of the new building will be for storing T Ludwig Construction equipment, but the rest will be for rental storage units. Unit sizes range from 10 feet by 20 feet up to 40'x60', if someone needs that much. Ludwig said he could divide the area to suit storage renters needs.

Rufenacht Concrete will be moving to 317 N. 29th Ave. #2, in the North Business and Industrial Park in two to three weeks. Owner Greg Rufenacht said he has to finish the parking lot and get the furnaces turned on.

Walgreens on Eighth Avenue was being fitted with shelving, counters and registers this past week, with an unconfirmed opening date of Aug. 11. Customers will find a convenient driveway between the pharmacy and Brennan's County Farm Market.

The 16th Avenue reconstruction project is still on schedule.

Jerry Ellefson, superintendent of the Monroe wastewater treatment plant, said the project is "coming along pretty good, now."

He believes Iowa Grant Trucking's work on the water and sewer utilities will be finished by the end of the month.

Iowa Grant Trucking has brought in another crew and the only thing that might hold them up is the weather, Ellefson said.

The sewer main is in, only three sewer and water services remain to be installed and the company is working on the street subbase.

The city street department will move in to install street storm sewer next week, and JW Schultz will start on curbs and gutters the second or third week of August, according to city engineering supervisor, Al Gerber.

Alliant Energy will be moving three power line poles to make way for the two extra feet width of the street. Gerber said no trees will be removed for the widening.

Paving should begin the first week of September.