Waukesha takes on its well-traveled paths

The numbers on the map correspond to references in the article on specific road projects taking place this year in Waukesha.
Published on: 5/22/2014

Editor's note: Numbers in parenthesis indicate place on map.

Some big construction projects are in store for the city of Waukesha this summer, and, as anyone who makes their way to downtown Waukesha can see, one major project is well under way.

Alex Damien, project engineer in the city's department of public works, said the Clinton Street reconstruction project is progressing well and remains on schedule to be finished by the end of June.

It is one of two projects with major overhauls already in the works. Other projects are also planned or already underway.

Downtown

The downtown project (1), which began at the end of February, extends from West Broadway to Wisconsin Avenue. The cost of the project was estimated at $1.1 million.

Damien said in his most recent email to downtown business owners and property owners last week that Clinton Street has reopened to traffic between West Broadway and West Main Street. But he added there will be short-term closures in June as crews place the final layer of asphalt, mark the pavements and install street lights and traffic signals.

The project has included replacing the deteriorated pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalk and terraces. The terraces are also being widened for additional safe pedestrian circulation, street trees and other street amenities.

The aging underground utilities are also being replaced, including the street light conduit, water main and sanitary sewer. The southbound lanes will be reduced from two to one, new decorative LED street lights will be installed, and trees will be removed and re-planted in a paver grate system.

Hartwell and Arcadian

Another extensive project in the city's "major reconstruction" budget is at North Hartwell Avenue from Arcadian Avenue to Main Street, along with Arcadian Avenue between East Avenue and North Hartwell Avenue (2).

This major overhaul includes its underground infrastructure, so both Arcadian Avenue and North Hartwell Avenue are closed to through traffic during construction.

The project at Arcadian Avenue involves relaying the water main and sanitary sewer, repairing and relaying sections of the storm sewer, boring a new sanitary sewer under the railroad tracks, replacing the asphalt pavement, and repairing curb and gutter, curb ramps and sidewalks.

The work at Hartwell includes sanitary sewer work, new street light conduit and a reconstructed concrete roadway with new pavement and curb and gutter.

The cost of the project is $1.7 million.

Damien said the project should be done by mid-September.

Windsor Drive

Projects in the "minor reconstruction" budget in the city include the Windsor Drive project (3) at two locations: Windsor Drive from South East Avenue to South Hartwell Avenue and South Charles Street from Windsor Drive to East Newhall Avenue.

Damien said the city chose the concrete option for this road reconstruction project at a total bid cost of $865,000. Total bid costs include road, sanitary sewer and water main construction. The completion date is the end of August.

The project — which has already started, with the underground work finishing shortly — involves relaying the water main, lining the sanitary sewer and laterals and reconstructing the roadway.

Damien said the road is closed to through traffic during construction.

Genesee Street

Another project is at Genesee Street from East Main Street to Arcadian Avenue (4). The cost of the total bid was $1.1 million. The project has also started, with the underground work finishing shortly.

The project involves relaying the water main, relaying sections of the sanitary sewer, relaying or bursting sanitary sewer laterals and reconstructing the roadway. The road will be closed to through traffic during construction. The contract completion date is mid-August.

Lincoln plus Eales

Another multiple street project was bid out together: Lincoln Avenue from Oakland Avenue to Perkins Avenue as well as Eales Avenue from White Rock Avenue to Cleveland Avenue (5). Those roads will be closed to through traffic during construction this summer.

The cost of the project is just more than $1 million. The project has been bid out, but construction has not started. The bid was expected to be approved at the Common Council meeting May 20.

If approved, construction would begin shortly. The project, expected to be finished by mid-September, involves relaying the water main on Eales Avenue and reconstructing the roadway.

Chicago Ave.

Damien also highlighted reconstruction at Chicago Avenue from Lasalle Street to Hyde Park Avenue (6). The project, which will cost $442,000, has been bid out and construction just recently got underway.

The project involves relaying the sanitary sewer, relaying the water main and reconstructing the roadway. The road will be closed to through traffic during construction, which is expected to be finished by the end of August.

Resurfacing projects

There are also many resurfacing projects scheduled for the rest of the year in the city. The resurfacing projects were bid out with a total bid cost of about $1.8 million and are expected to start in a few weeks.

As part of this work, there will be sanitary sewer relay work, new traffic signals, road resurfacing, pavement replacement and road construction. These projects are expected to be finished by Sept. 19.

Locations include North Moreland Boulevard from Madison Street to Michigan Avenue; West Moreland Boulevard from 450 feet west of East North Street to Pewaukee Road; Pewaukee Road from Pilot Court to Moreland Blvd; Wisteria Lane from Oakdale Drive to Cottonwood Drive; Cottonwood from Wisteria Lane to School Drive; School Drive from Oakdale Drive to Dixie Drive; Sycamore Drive from Cottonwood to School Drive; Ellsworth Place from Garfield Avenue to the east end.

Damien said when compared to last year, the amount of money approved for this year's road reconstruction projects were increased in the "minor reconstruction" budget by $1.1 million. The city classifies projects "major" and "minor" based on its street classification.