(KNZA)--The Hiawatha sales tax street improvements project is set to begin late this month.

The Hiawatha City Commission this week approved a notice for the contractor, AHRS Construction of Bern, to proceed, starting October 29.

City Administrator Mike Nichols says that will allow the company to start moving in materials but actually construction will not begin until after the Annual Halloween Frolic on Wednesday, October 31.

A milestone of May 31, 2019 has been set for completion of the 400 and 500 blocks of Utah and a portion of 5th Street.

The entire project is to be substantially completed by July 1, 2021.  However, Nichols says the contractor’s goal is to be have the project completed by the late summer of 2020.

Improvements are planned to portions of various city streets---including new concrete pavement along with curbs and gutters.

The nearly $5.5 million project is being funded by a half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2016.