VERNON COUNTY, Wis. – Both Viroqua and Westby released statements this week that they are resuming work on their Main Street improvement projects that shut down last fall as winter weather closed in. The city of Westby took on a major renovation of its Main Street that included sewer, water and utility replacements as well as a complete resurfacing that included the addition of a roundabout at the intersections of State Highways 27 and 14.
According to a statement from the city this week work is continuing on the final stages of the project. The contractor will continue removing the temporary lanes on the south end of the project and will be working toward downtown.
The statement says that soon you will see retaining wall work begin along the roundabout near the Zzip Stop. During this time, there may be some intermittent flagging operations to allow specific operations to be completed. When work is starting downtown at Maple and State Street, some parking spots will be unavailable. This will only impact one side of the street and will be reduced to as minimal impact as possible for work to be completed safely. Hansen’s currently has a temporary gravel access off USH 14. This will remain gravel for a while. If you are concerned about accessing through that location, please consider utilizing the access of State Highway 27 or Swiggum Rd.
The Coon Prairie intersection will be closed on Thursday, March 27 for the installation of storm sewer. This should only take one day to complete the work, with Coon Prairie being reopened when work is complete.
The city asks as temperatures begin to warm and grass begins to sprout, please be mindful to allow terrace areas and lawns to establish before mowing. It is best to allow turf to grow to 4” prior to mowing during the initial establishment period. The contractor will be monitoring all grass locations and additional seeding will be completed, as necessary for establishment. Please be patient during this time.
VIROQUA
Viroqua’s Main Street construction will resume Monday, March 31. Viroqua’s Main Street work was less drastic than the Westby project but it did involve some significant traffic pattern changes including switching from for lanes to three with a middle turn lane, moving one traffic light on the downtown area and witching side streets to a one way pattern. Most of the work on the West side of the project was completed but crews had to stop work as cold weather set in last fall. Crews will begin completing changes to the East side next week that will include adding bumpouts to that side of the street and completing the installation of the traffic light on South Street that was moved from Jefferson.
City Engineer Sarah Grainger issued a statement on the plan for the upcoming construction. The update from Grainger states that on March 31 construction crews will put up traffic control for lane closures, construction crews will be working at the Jefferson and South Street intersections on the east side of Main. As such, when they do the closures, they will only close the lanes from just north of Jefferson to just south of South Street rather than the full downtown closures that occurred during the early part of the project last year.
Saw cutting for removals will start right away and the electrical contractor will continue their work at South Street for the new traffic signal. There are no bumpouts at South Street; however, there will be concrete work related to sidewalk ramp changes to meet ADA requirements and to install pole bases. At Jefferson they will be finishing the bumpouts and red concrete crosswalks. Restoration and project cleanup will also occur at the Main and Decker intersection northwest corner. All this is expected to take two weeks.
Next on the docket is the work at Court and Terhune on the east side (bumpouts, crosswalks, signage), line painting throughout the entire project, patching, storm sewer modifications and general project clean-up.
Information about the project is available at the construction webpage on the city website.
If anyone has questions, wishes to set up an appointment to discuss sight-specific needs one on one, or wants to provide their email to receive updates, people may contact Grainger at 608-637-2937 or sgrainger@viroqua-wisconsin.com.
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