Pete's Location

Where's Pete today?

Aye my ship took a tumble
A very mighty fumble
I need some new Insurance
for the crews Mutual assurance
that if we crash again 
Baraboo locals will assist my men.

Stop by and take your picture with Pete for a chance to win, free car washes, chamber dollars, an oil change, and local gift certificates!

Business Boost

This Weeks Business Boost is...

Baraboo Valley Veterinary Clinic

Open for almost 20 years, they offer service above and beyond the competitors. When asked what makes them special, their response was simple, "we take our time with your pets, and work hard to ensure that they get the care they deserve." I don't know what more you could ask for! Their slogan shows that they are dedicated to your furry friends well being. "We care about you and your pet." This care is clearly demonstrated through the staffs dedication; each employee at Baraboo Valley Vet has been employed there for over 10 years!  Dr. Steven Beckett and his staff can't wait to care for your furry family member. Give them a call at 608-355-2882, and let them show you and your pet how much they care!

Day Three Pete's Location

Shiver me timbers! It was chilly last night!

I've made my way over to someone who will fix my heater up right

They work really hard, go give em a shout,

but keep the game fair don't go Pointon them out!

Weekly Update

It is time for another weekly update! The week of July 28th 2014 looks like this!

Currently

Traffic is still one way, and the detour route has not changed at all. This weeks work schedule includes continued grading, storm sewer instillation, and the placement of base aggregate. Some poor soil content has been a bit of an issue and is continuing west. Geogrid (a plastic fence like material) is being utilized to reinforce the road way in these areas. 

Upcoming

Grading will continue for the new road bed, which means more trucks will be coming in with the crushed stone base. This work is moving from east to west following the instillation of the storm sewer. Concrete curb and gutter instillation is scheduled to start the week of August 4th. The curb and gutter requires dry time and will need to cure before anyone can drive on it. Driveway access will be maintained by leaving a gap in the curb and gutter. Those gaps will be filled in once the adjoining curb and gutter is cured.

Contact Information

There will be an informal public information session this Wednesday, July 30 at 6:00 pm. This session is intended to give the public brief update on the project schedule and address any questions or concerns that one might have. These meetings will be scheduled every other week.

At any time, please feel free to contact the construction project leader directly:

Warren Mohar

Cell Phone 608-963-5608

If Warren is not available, after July 31 please call the assistant project leader:

Ron Voss

Cell Phone 608-963-7416

Thanks everyone and as always feel free to leave any concerns in the comments or email me at awilkins@cityofbaraboo.com! 

-AW

First Clue for Pete's Location!

Today's Clue is...

With the best fish around Towne
This is where I go to chow down...

See if you can find Pete!

Construction Conversation 5: Pirate Pool Party!

You better get ready because I've got something fun for you today!

 A Pirate Pool P-ARRRR-ty

Yup, you heard right the Baraboo Public Library, the Baraboo Public Pool, the South Boulevard Businesses and the City of Baraboo have paired up to create an awesome night of fun!

August 11th from 6:30-8:30 PM at the Baraboo Public Pool there will be songs, stories, and swimming! Sing us a ballad, dress as your favorite sea sailor, show us your best dead mans float, or walk the plank for a cannon ball competition! Sounds like fun right? The only cost is for pool entry which is 4$ a person, however if you already have pool passes you don't have to worry. The library sponsored activities will be free and held in the pavilion outside of the pool. 

I would also like to introduce Pete,

Pete the Parrot has a special role in this event. 

He is flying around South Boulevard before the event to keep an eye on all the construction! Starting Monday the 25th Pete will be at various locations everyday. Clues to his location will be posted on Facebook and right here on the blog. If you take your picture with Pete, child or adult, and post it to our Twitter, Facebook, or email it to me, you are entered in to win the prize basket that we are giving away at the party. Be sure to check in daily to see where Pete has gone! (Limit one entry per location per person.)

I hope to see you around South Boulevard, and so does Pete!

-AW

South Boulevard Business Boost

Today's Business Boost goes to... 

Owned by: Jane Blain Gilbertson                

 The hardest working people in America find value at Farm and Fleet, and they have for the last 55 years! Blain's Farm and Fleet has been a part of our community for a long time. Whether shopping for farm equipment, new jeans, tools, or candy Blain's has it all. Our local store is managed by Jack Adams. Their hours are Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-8pm & Sundays 9am-6pm. It will be open throughout the construction and they are ready for your business! There deals can be found in local shopper stoppers or simply by stopping in! Head over today!

Big Top Parade This Weekend!!!

The Circus Parade is this Weekend!!! I'm excited are you excited? What a great way to spend you Saturday! Help us celebrate our history and see the parade! There will be some extra traffic so be prepared! 

Here is some information about the event!

The parade begins at 2:00PM this Saturday, July 26th.

The staging area will be on Birch Street which will be closed from 2^nd-7^th Avenue. 

Parking, while off location, will be provided at the Circus World Museum parking lot, Sears/Pierce's Market parking lot, and the Isenberg's parking lot, with a shuttle to drop you off downtown. Shuttles will drop riders off at the corner of 2nd and Oak. 

*Handicapped parking will be on Broadway in the 500 block with a few other spots in the 4th/Ash lot and 5th/Oak lot.

If you have any questions please contact the Baraboo area Chamber of  Commerce at 608-356-8333, they have maps and answers for you!

Just in case you haven't seen it yet, here is the Parade route.

If you would like a visual for the parking lots and the detour in relation to those lots here it is! Remember South Boulevard is detoured...

Weekly Update

It's Monday, July 21, and I have the weekly update for everyone!

Traffic

First, we have heard about some of the traffic issues. We know that a few people are still going the wrong way and we are working on it. For any of you readers cheating and going from Waldo and turning the wrong way to get onto Hitchcock, please refrain from doing so, it is against the law and it is dangerous. I know it adds a couple of minutes, but please follow the detour. (The few extra minutes you save probably aren't worth the several hundred dollar ticket that could result.) We have heard that trucks are still taking the detour and we have informed local companies, again, to direct their trucks away from South Boulevard if possible. For out of town trucks G.P.S. still directs them to the detour, so signage is being discussed to help redirect them. Traffic will remain in the one-way configuration until September while the south half of the roadway is reconstructed, and then will flip, with traffic still continuing in the same direction, so the other side of the road can be done. 

  

This Weeks Schedule

*Courtesy of Warren Mohar (with notes from me!)

Current operations include grading of the south half of the roadway, installing base aggregate, and installing storm sewer. (This means rock will be hauled in so watch out for the trucks!)

Some poor soils were encountered in the area of the South Boulevard/STH 123 intersection. Additional excavation was performed and an additional thickness of base rock was added. We will be monitoring the roadbed for poor soils as the project progresses, and may be using geogrid (a plastic fence-like material) to reinforce the roadway over these poor soil areas (again more trucks.)

The old asphalt pavement has been milled off, leaving a 6” to 8” drop off from the old asphalt surface. Temporary driveways are being constructed after the milling operation goes by to maintain access to the adjacent properties. For properties with multiple driveways, not all of the drives may be accessible at all times. (They worked really hard to make sure those driveways were in as soon as possible to allow access throughout the projects, please thank the workers when you have a chance! Please remember to watch for pedestrians and workers when turning in to the drives as well. Most drives are marked by "enter here" signs in five gallon buckets so look for those!)

The storm sewer operation continues to proceed from the east end of the project to the west. (Big machines here, be sure to watch for them backing up when driving through, go slow and stay safe!)

WORK SCHEDULE FOR THE UPCOMING WEEKS

Storm sewer construction will continue throughout the week.

The contractor will continue grading operations to construct the new road bed and haul in the crushed stone base (Trucks again!) This work will progress from east to west, following the storm sewer installation.

*No changes are expected to be made to the traffic control layout or detour in the upcoming week.

Thanks Warren! If you have any questions feel free to comment below, send me an email, awilkins@cityofbaraboo.com, or stop by to talk to Warren at the informal public information session, Wednesday the 30th, at 6:00 pm at Nordic Centre. This session is for brief updates and questions anyone may have. These meetings will occur every other week.

Feel free to contact Warren at any time, he is the construction project leader. He can be reached at 608-963-5608.

Latest Snapshots of Construction

As the dirt was coming in, the men were working hard. Here's a picture of them waiting as the truck brings in another load for them. Traffic was running smoothly and businesses were open!

South Boulevard Business Boost

Today's Business Boost goes to... 

Baraboo Custom Lube and Wash

Owned by: Kent Fish

"Setting New Standards in the Oil Change Industry" for 9 years.

 Baraboo Custom Lube and Wash does oil changes, brakes, struts, tune ups, air conditioning recharges, transmission flushes, radiator flushes, tires, exhaust, and detailing. With a car wash on site they offer some pretty great deals! They work hard to lookout for their customer's needs and never push for unnecessary services. They are open throughout construction.

Construction Deals

It is a double deal!

Use those brakes to stop over and get them inspected for free! If they need a little love save 10% on the repair job!

and

With every full service oil change you get a free premium car wash! That's a clean car both inside and out!

Detour

If you haven't made it out to the construction area yet here's what the detour looks like! The first video is going West and the second is East. Make sure to stop by and get something to eat or maybe get a tune up. The businesses will appreciate seeing you!

Construction Conversation 5: Little Bodies and Big Trucks

I have a little neighbor boy who is absolutely in love with big trucks. Anything with wheels draws his attention. I think his first words may have been skid steer and dump truck. Many of you either have your own little boys and girls, or know of those who do. They look to the skies every time they hear an airplane or search for the train upon hearing the whistle. Those little ones are going to be thrilled to pieces soon. Dump trucks, back hoes, steam rollers, and everything else that goes along with construction will arrive in Baraboo in the next few months and some of them will be here sooner rather than later.

The next few weeks are going to be full of the tell tale sounds of construction in more areas than the immediate work sight. Dump trucks full of stone will be coming in to create the new bed for the road. This may mean you could see a few drive past your home. Please keep an eye on your little ones or those you know and make sure that they are out of harms way. To allow them to see all the machines in action think about stopping by some of the businesses along the route so you can be safely inside to watch. You could even stop by the library to pick up some books about the machines to help with identification. Both the businesses and the library would love to see you!

If you have any concerns as a resident and would like more information, stay up to date with the blog, or comment below with questions. As the trucks begin to arrive I will add updates about the route and time frame. If you have any other questions let me know as I would love to hear from you! You can always email me as well.

 awilkins@cityofbaraboo.com 

-AW

Weekly Update

Warren has filled me in, here is the news!

This week:

Crews will work to remove existing asphalt and old curb and gutter.  The milling operation that aids in removing the pavement leaves a 6"-8" drop from the existing roadway. Temporary driveways will be constructed after the milling occurs to allow access to the adjacent properties. For properties with multiple entrances only one may be available at a time. They will also be installing storm sewers, focusing in the area of the new roundabout. 

So, what is happening in the next few weeks?:

They will finish milling the road and storm sewer construction will continue. Grading operations will start on the new road bed. This means that crushed stone will be hauled in for the base, so look out for dump trucks! Work will progress from east to west, following the sewer instillation. The detour and traffic control are set to remain the same in the next few weeks.

*Warren also wanted to let you know that there will be an informal public information session this Wednesday, July 16th at 6:00 pm at the Nordic Centre, 524 South Boulevard. This session is intended to give the public a brief update on the project schedule and address any questions or concerns. These meetings will take place every other week. 

If you have any questions for Warren Mohar contact him on his cell phone at 608-963-5608.

                                        -AW

Conversation 4: The Detour and Business

Yes, they are open for business! I just knew you were wondering! Even if you weren't now you are 100% sure. All of the business along South Boulevard will be accessible and open throughout the project!

The detour route allows access and begins today. For those of you who haven't already seen the route here it is.

Detours can be fatal for businesses along the construction path. There are more than FORTY businesses along South Boulevard. Access to those buildings will remain open throughout the entire project! Don't abandon them they are still offering the same great services as they were prior to construction! Encourage others to go too!

A few of these businesses will be featured here on the blog in a section called South Boulevard Business Boost, here is a link to the first one  Business Boost: Get n' Go. Some of the featured businesses are offering deals for construction so don't forget to stop in and take advantage of that. Detours and construction may not be fun but deals definitely are!

As far as getting to those businesses, roads like Hitchcock and Waldo can be used, simply follow traffic flow as directed by the detour when meeting South Boulevard. Construction will occur during the early morning hours into early evening most days. At night the road will typically be free of moving construction vehicles, making it easier to get to locations along the route. I will be stopping in frequently to check how things are going, who knows maybe I'll see you there!

-AW

Four More Days!!!

After a long 4th of July weekend construction begins! Be safe, be prepared, and share your concerns! If you have any questions just let me know! 

Have a Happy Fourth of July!

-AW

South Boulevard Business Boost

       

Introducing a new section to the blog! The South Boulevard Business Boost.

Today's Business Boost goes to... 

The Get n' Go Mobile Gas Station

Owned by: Nick Singh

The Get N' Go has been in business for almost 10 years and offers several options not only to local traffic but also to those visiting. With a Mobil gas station, and a Laundry Mat, this one stop shop offers the convenience that many patrons seek. With beer, liquor, wine, brats, live bait and so much more, this is a great place to get what you need in today's busy world. Open throughout construction stop in, get what you need, and go on with your busy day!