(KNZA)--The City of Hiawatha has announced that Phase III of the downtown streetscape project will begin Monday, March 20th, weather permitting.

According to a text alert from the city, construction will begin at the intersection of Eighth and Oregon. From there, the contractor will move west on Oregon Street towards Ninth Street.

When completed with that block, they will move to the intersection of Fifth and Oregon Streets and work in that vicinity.

Bern-based AHRS Construction will serve as contractor on the nearly $854,000 project.

A grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation will pay for 80 percent of the construction cost, with the city responsible for the remainder.

The project will include improvements in the 800 block of Oregon and the remaining portion of the 500 block of Oregon.  The improvements will include new sidewalks, lighting and planters similar to the first two phases of the project.