A windy day but still a good one to celebrate the start of a new watermain project in Hibbing.

The $3.2 million dollar investment will replace a nearly mile stretch of 30″ pipe that connects the city to the South Water Treatment Plant.

Taconite tax dollars through Iron Range Resources are paying for it.

Leaders gathered on W. Wegener Road for the groundbreaking on Friday morning.

HPUC General Manager Luke Peterson said it will be finished in April. “This project is unique because it runs through a swamp, so winter is the best time to do it,” he explained.

The goal is a more reliable and efficient water system for Hibbing.