NEW HAMPTON - Traffic on Main Street these days features vehicles large enough to crush an average grocery getter or a good-sized SUV.

The city is replacing water lines, sidewalks and sanitary and storm sewers and will pave about five blocks through its traditional business district.

That means excavators, backhoes and dump trucks. The heavy equipment is accompanied by towering mounds of dirt and gravel, gaping holes, persistent noise, occasional bouts of inconvenience and - residents hope - a realistic promise for a better looking community.

"Give or take, we hope to be done by Thanksgiving. We hope," Mayor Darwin Sittig said.

The project started in May, and despite appearances, some of the heavy lifting is done. Sittig said contractors must install a few pipes yet, but workers are gradually returning the street level to grade. Workers may be ready to pour concrete on the first two blocks at the west end as early Wednesday, he said, though recent rains will likely hamper their efforts.

The city hasn't torn up Main Street to this degree since the 1950s, and the consensus view, according to businessman Lynn Schwickerath, was repairs were badly needed.

He owns Office World at 23 E. Main St.. His son, Brad, owns Rapid Printers next door at 21 E. Main St.

Schwickerath said folks he talked to wanted the city to tackle the entire project, rather than piecemeal repairs.

"If you're going to do it, do it right, do it right the first time and get it over," he said. "When is a good time to close Main Street?"

Unfortunately for business owners, that meant closing Main Street.There's no getting around the fact shutting down a primary artery, which is also part of Iowa Highway 24, is affecting sales in some shops.

"It's just like remodeling a house," Lynn Schwickerath said. "You've got to put up with some bad to get to the good."

Sidewalks are available, and shuttle rides in golf carts are an option for folks determined to find a particular store. To catch a cart, call (641) 229-6222.

"They'll stop and pick them up. It's sort of a peace offering for what we're putting them through," Mayor Sittig said.

Lynne Derry owns Get-Away Travel at 19 W. Main St. She hasn't noticed much of an impact on her bottom line, but she notes her customers are generally pretty determined.

"They just seem to be finding me," she said.

Derry believes New Hampton is investing in its downtown, which remains an active part of the city.

Sittig also noted very few empty store fronts in what he describes as an attractive business district that will look even better in a few months.

"We think it's pretty good," he said.

Getting around town might be a little tricky right now, but Sittig believes residents are finding their way.

"It might not be the straightest and shortest way in the world. But soon it will be," he said.

"I just hope they don't get used to that golf cart."