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.