OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Construction on the new communications tower in Ottumwa will be starting this week.

The three-post tower will stand at 250 feet and will contain 18 different antennas all having to do with public safety and government entities.

The tower will sit between the two other towers currently standing at the site.

“Crews are supposed to be showing up this week to begin the work on the concrete foundation. Work has already begun on the shelter building which is being constructed by the state that's pre-fabricated to our specifications and they ship it up here. That's underway right now and then later this weeks there's supposed to be actually some concrete pouring,” Josh Stevens, Emergency Management Coordinator.

Stevens said they’re looking for construction to be complete in March. There will then be some installation on the tower along with testing and tuning before everything is actually moved to the site and ready for use.