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State 22 project coming into focus

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) held a public involvement meeting regarding the State Highway 22 project in Clintonville Thursday, Nov. 14.

WisDOT is proposing improvements to State 22 between 10th Street and State 156 in the city of Clintonville.

The purpose of the meeting was to provide the public with updated information regarding the proposed improvements, traffic impacts, right of way needs, planned acquisitions and to seek public input.

A meeting was held in Oct. 2012 to talk about the project. Design elements were about 30 percent complete at that time. At Thursday night’s meeting, WisDOT reported that the design process is now 60 percent complete.

Project information

WisDOT reported that existing pavement on WIS 22 (Main Street) is nearing the end of its useful life and requires replacement. Underground utilities and storm sewer also need to be replaced. The existing WIS 22 bridge over the Pigeon River Bridge is deteriorating and in need of replacement.

The WIS 22 intersection with WIS 156 and Green Tree Road currently have features that contribute to driver confusion and result in operational and safety concerns.

Proposed improvements include:

• Replacing the Pigeon River Bridge. Decorative railing and a surface treatment will be used to improve the aesthetics of the bridge. When complete, it will look very much like the new Pearl Street Bridge in New London.

• Replacing the existing pavement curb and gutter, sidewalk, storm sewer, street lighting and traffic signals. Some sidewalk will also be replaced on 12th Street to accommodate a new signal light system. Decorative lighting will be added from the Pigeon River Bridge to 13th Street. Past 13th Street, new 30-foot cobra light poles will be installed. They will be dark brown in color, as opposed to silver.

• Widening the roadway by approximately one half foot to one and a half feet on each side between the Pigeon River Bridge and 13th Street to accommodate both bike and parking lanes. Per the city’s decision, on-street parking will not be allowed on the Pigeon River Bridge. The proposed roadway would consist of the following: two 12-foot travel lanes; 5-foot to 6-foot bike lanes; 8-foot parking lanes (includes the 2-foot gutters); 1.5-foot to 5-foot boulevards; and 5-foot sidewalks. The roadway will be constructed with concrete pavement with new gravel and new soil under the gravel to help improve the sub-base. Drains will also be installed to connect to the storm sewer, featuring catch basins and sumps to catch salt and muck before the water empties into the Pigeon River.

• Widening the roadway by one foot on each side between 13th Street and WIS 156 to accommodate bike lanes. Per the city’s decision on-street parking will not be allowed between 13th Street and WIS 156. The proposed section would consist of the following: two 12-foot travel lanes; 5-foot bike lanes; 2-foot gutters; 5-foot to 9-foot boulevards; 5-foot sidewalks

• Adding pedestrian bump outs at the intersections of Main Street and 11th Street, Main Street and 12th Street, and Main Street and 13th Street

• Widening the Main Street and 12th Street intersection.

• Realigning the intersection of WIS 22/16th Street to improve vision for motorists

• Extending new sidewalk along both sides of WIS 22 to the Main Street and WIS 156/Green Tree Road intersection

• Upgrading the intersection of WIS 22 and WIS 156/Green Tree Road. The upgrades will include an all-way stop controlled intersection and the realignment of WIS 156 and Green Tree Road so the two side roads are directly across from each other

• Replacing the city’s water main and sanitary sewer systems

Proposed schedule and cost

Work on the Pigeon River Bridge and the roadway between 10th Street and 13th Street are currently scheduled for 2015.

The section of roadway between 13th Street and WIS 156/Green Tree Road is currently scheduled for construction in 2017, but may occur as early as 2016. The project is being completed in two separate years because of budget constraints.

Construction is estimated to cost approximately $4 million to $5 million. Eighty percent of project funding will come from federal funds; the remaining 20 percent will be paid for with state transportation funds. One hundred percent of the city utility replacements will be paid for with city funds.

Traffic, access and parking impacts during construction

The roadway will be closed to traffic during construction. Proposed detours include:

• In 2015 traffic will be detoured via 7th Street, N. Lyons Street, E. 12th Street, SSGT Warren Hansen Drive and WIS 156.

• In 2017 traffic will be detoured via 7th Street, N. Lyons Street, E. 12th Street, SSGT Warren Hansen Drive and WIS 156. When the WIS 22 and WIS 156 intersection is under construction, WIS 156 will be closed to traffic. Traffic will be detoured via 7th Street, N. Lyons Street, E. 12th Street, SSGT Warren Hansen Drive, WIS 156, Industrial Avenue and Autumn Street.

Temporary or permanent widening of two corners on the detour route will likely occur at Lyons Street and 12th Street and 12th Street and Sgt. Warren Hansen Drive. This work will be completed before the WIS 22 rebuild begins.

Temporary access to businesses and residences within the project will be provided and maintained during construction. Driveways may need to be temporarily closed when the driveways are being reconstructed or when construction operations are occurring near the driveways.

Real estate

The proposed improvements will require the acquisition of new right of way between 10th Street and 13th Street, at the Main Street and 16th Street intersection, and at the Main Street and WIS 156/Green Tree Road intersection. Temporary easements will also be required through most of the corridor in order to blend the improvements into the existing ground behind the sidewalks.

There are no building acquisitions or removals associated with the proposed improvements.

WisDOT hired a horticulturist to evaluate the existing trees and has worked with the city officials to determine which trees will be removed. A map was displayed at the meeting showing a total of 89 trees that will need to be removed. WisDOT officials said 73 new trees will be planted in terraces once the project is complete. Thirty-six existing trees will have some roots cut, but the trees will not be completely removed.

The new trees will be selected from 13 different types. The replacement trees that have been selected are said to be disease-resistant. Larger varieties will be planted in larger terraces, while smaller ones will be planted in narrow terraces.

WisDOT officials said all of the new trees will be planted at the end of the second phase of construction, which is tentatively scheduled for 2017. No guarantees will be given regarding the survival of the trees that have their roots cut. Any replacement trees that fail within two years after being planted will be replaced free of charge.

Fruit-bearing trees were discussed, and WisDOT does plan to include some varieties that flower, but produce only a small, dried up fruit. Residents expressed concern that the fruit would fall onto the sidewalk and create slippery, dirty conditions but WisDOT officials said this would not be a problem.

The meeting displays include information on which trees need removal as well as the planned tree replacements.

Current project schedule

Local Officials Meetings were conducted on Oct. 10, 2012 and Oct. 14, 2013. A Public Involvement Meeting was conducted on Oct. 22, 2012.

Historical and archaeological surveys were completed during summer 2012. Environmental documentation was completed by August 201 3. Preliminary roadway plans were completed by August 201 3. Right of way plats were completed by August 2013.

An “In This Together” business meeting will be conducted in early 2014. A construction information meeting will be conducted in early 2015.

Final roadway plans are scheduled for completion in February 2014 for the segment between 10th Street and 13th Street. Final roadway plans are scheduled for completion by June 2015 for the segment between 13th Street and WIS 156.

WisDOT officials did not confirm that incentives will be offered if contractors finish their respective projects ahead of schedule, but said those incentives would likely be provided. They did not offer any definite answers when asked if the project would be moved ahead or delayed outside of the current schedule. Officials remained noncommittal when asked if any temporary improvements to N. Main Street could be made prior to the project in order to address complaints of rough road in certain areas.

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