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Final plans set for Water Street project
WEB WATER STREET 2
Attendees had the opportunity to study design plans for the Water Street project at the April 4 meeting.

A public information meeting was held on April 4 to show off the plans and answer questions in regard to the Water Street/Highway project in the City of Platteville. Information regarding the rural portion of the project, from the city limits to Livingston, was also discussed.
City officials, along with Wisconsin Department of Transportation and construction officials, fielded questions from the audience and presented plans for the urban and rural projects.
According to the DOT, the urban project, which is Water Street, just north of Pine Street to Malone Drive is 1.6 miles. This project will include:
• Wider street width between Pine and Furnace Street.
• Improved intersection at Main Street (alignment and signals).
• Improved alignment at Furnace Street intersection.
• Roundabout intersection at Madison Street.
• Sidewalk replacement throughout the project.
• New pedestrian path on the east side between Madison Street and Northside Drive.
• New sidewalk on the west side between Pitt Street and Northside Drive.
• Colored and stamped terrace between the sidewalk and curb, from Pine Street to Stevens Street, to provide for separation of pedestrians.
• New curb and gutter with new storm sewer system with increased capacity.
• Replacement of failing retaining walls.
• Upgrade of sanitary sewer and water main.
The rural project includes 12 miles of road and it begins at Malone Drive and continues north to East Tama Drive in Livingston.
• This reconditioning project will include:
• Because of poor sight distance, 1,500 feet of the road north of Walnut Dell Road will be reconstructed.
• For the remaining 11 miles, the pavement will be pulverized and relayed, widening the shoulders and flattening the side slopes.
• Two bridges will be replaced; the one over Mounds Branch River and the one over the Little Platte River, just south of Highway A.
• All intersections will be upgraded to current standards with curb and gutter and diverge and merge tapers. Other safety improvements will include new pavement markings, signs, replacement or repair of damaged culvert pipes, and replacement of all required guardrail.
A number of questions last week centered around the construction of a roundabout at Madison Street. It was noted that, because of the design of the roundabout, the use of a school crossing guard in the future will likely not be needed. Center islands will be available for pedestrians to stop at before crossing the other half of the street. The roundabout will be lit and large trucks, including fire trucks and semi tractor trailers will be able to utilize a center apron in the roundabout in order to make the turn.
Maintenance of the new sidewalk between Pitt Street and Northside Drive as well as the multi-use path will be the responsibility of the city.
There was also discussion about plans in regard to the armory, which is located on Water Street and will be utilized during the state primary and recall elections. According to Howard Crofoot, director of public works for the City of Platteville, it is too late to have the location moved. They will work with the contractor to make the building accessible.
"It's going to be a long summer. There's no way around it," said Bradley Banfield, with Buesing and Associates, Inc.
Banfield instructed those in attendance and the public in general, to call them with any concerns. The sooner a concern is addressed, the easier it will be to correct. "We are here to solve your problems," he said.
The main contact number for Buesing is (563) 556-4389.
Highway 80 will be closed to through traffic and detoured via Highway 81 to Highway 35/61/81 to Highway 129 around the City of Lancaster to Highway 61 to Highway 18. Highway 80 will be open to local and emergency traffic only.
A-1 Excavating won the bid for the urban project, while H. James and Sons, Inc. was awarded the bid for the rural portion.
Updates throughout the process will be available at the city website: www.platteville.org.
Construction is expected to begin late this month with completion of the rural portion required before Nov. 9.
The cost of the urban project, including utility work and street reconstruction is $8 million. The city will pay $2.2 million for utilities and approximately $200,000 for its share of the street reconstruction, according to Crofoot.