almost done!

Stage 1:Most punchlist items are complete

Stage 2: paving the second half of STH 33 today. Trierweiler also is planning on pouring some intersections on Saturday, weather pending. Next week, working on curbs and gutters.

Stage 3: Larabee is almost covered with select crushed and base course. They are starting to trim that and are hoping to pave that tomorrow. Curb and gutter will be the next step on this stage.

latest info we have

Stage 1 – Most of the punch list items have been completed this week.

Stage 2 – The north half of the roadway was trimmed and paved. Next week, the south half of the roadway will be trimmed and paved. Topsoil was also placed from Grand to Chandler Street.

Stage 3 – Storm Sewer, Water Main, and Sanitary Sewer has all been completed. It is also being graded today. Next week, we will be placing pavement down on Larabee Street.

August updates

Stage 1

Stage 1 opened to local traffic as planned--ON TIME!!! Yay for our state highway workers.

Stage 2

Grading and placing aggregate continues on Stage 2. Peterson is also preparing for sidewalk between Grand and Horicon Street.

Stage 3

Larabee Street has officially started. Temporary water has been set up and they have begun the sanitary sewer work.

update 8/06/09

Phase 1:

Construction activity occurring within the downtown intersection of Lake and Vine Streets is nearing completion. Karla is reporting that “hopefully” the Lake & Vine intersection can be re-opened to vehicular traffic sometime late tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.

Efforts to erect the Lake & Vine intersection traffic signals are also occurring this afternoon.

In addition, landscaping activity and the installation of informational and directional signage will continue the remainder of this week and into next week. Pavement marking/paint striping is also occurring today.

Phase 2:

Both the eastbound and westbound traffic lanes between Columbia Street and Chandler Street now have paved concrete….concrete “tie-in” work continues at some intersections. Curb and gutter installations in the same area has started this week and will continue next week.

Storm drain/sewer installation activity will be completed later this week or early next week.

Grading and the placement of aggregate/stone in the Barstow Street area between Valley Street and Larabee Street is also a current event.

Overall, Karla is reporting that activity in the Stage 1 construction area will be completed sometime next week. In addition, initial activity in the Stage 3 construction area (Larabee Street) will probably commence sometime next week.

This week's update

Stage 1

This week was definitely a busy week and next week should be more of the same! The Lake/Vine Street intersection was closed this past Monday and the crews have been working continually to get all the electrical work installed and concrete placed. Alliant Energy was onsite placing some of the decorative lights in the downtown area. Peterson also began placing topsoil on Stage 1.

Next week, will should be finising the concrete in this intersection and the signals will hopefully be getting installed. Peterson will continue placing topsoil in Stage 1 and also prep for sidewalk at the Lake/Vine intersection as well as down West Lake Street. Highway Landscaping will be onsite to finish placin signs and start laying sod. Pavement marking will probably begin at the end of next week as well.

Stage 2

On stage 2, we poured half of the concrete pavement from Grand Street to Chandler Street. The other half will be poured on Monday, August 3rd. Trierweiler will have a hand crew working on intersections in Stage 2 next week. Storm sewer is continuing in the Kansas Street Intersection. Hopefully storm sewer will be finished up by mid week. Grading will also begin next week from Valley Street to Larabee Street.

More info from Steve

Stone /aggregate placement has been completed on Washington Street between Columbia Street and Main Street. Grading and stone aggregate work will continue north on Main Street to Chandler Street.

Upon completing this section of activity, grading and stone aggregate placement activity will commence on Barstow Street between Rich Street and Valley Street.

Storm sewer/drain installation activity will continue on Barstow Street between Rich Street and the Highway Street (Wisconsin Southern) railroad tracks.

Preparatory concrete paving activities by subcontractor (Trierweiler) will also commence early next week on Washington Street between Main Street and Columbia Street and on Main Street between Washington Street and Chandler Street. The following day one unspecified traffic lane will be paved with concrete. The following week the remaining traffic lane will be paved with concrete.

Lake & Vine closed!

For those of you who, like me, forgot that the interesection at Lake & Vine are closed now, here is how you can get through town to the LIBRARY for example: (according to Steven Tamminga) "there seems to be some discrepancy as to what streets/intersections will permit north/south navigation crossing Lake Street in the “downtown” area. I’m hearing both Hubbard or Cedar Street will afford this opportunity at one time or another during the intersection closure……so prepare accordingly. Asphalt paving and completion/”tie-in” work at most “downtown” Phase 1 intersections will probably dictate where north/south navigation will be permitted crossing Lake Street."

I've heard that going down Larabee to Hubbard is your best bet. Which is good, as I had to park 3 blocks from the library today and hoof in my high heels to work!

Stage 1 ending soon

Stage 1

This week we are wrapping up the majority of the concrete work in Stage 1. Next week, the Lake/Vine Street intersection will be closed in order to place concrete pavement, curb and gutter, and sidewalk in this area. It will remain closed until Aug 9th, unless work is completed prior to that date. Also next week, topsoil will be placed on stage one and maybe sod towards the end of the week. Asphalt tie-ins will be made Monday. Signs and planters will begin to be placed. Also, the decorative lights will begin to be erected.

Stage 2

Grading has made it from Columbia Street through the Washington and Main Street Intersection. They will continue with the grading and aggregate placement until they get to Chandler. Then they will be moving and grading from Rich Street to Valley Street. Storm sewer will be continuing from Rich Street to the Railroad Tracks. Next week Monday, Trierweiler will be coming in to trim the base aggregate from Columbia to Washington/Main on the north side of the road and from Washington/Main to Chandler on the east side of the road. And on Tuesday, those areas will be paved with concrete pavement. The other halves of the roadway will follow the next week.

During the two week shutdown of Lake/Vine Street, Hubbard will remain open to cross at as well as Chandler to Horicon Street.

Activity continues in the Phase 1 and Phase 2 construction areas. DOT Project Engineer, Karla Knorr has reported that masonry contractor, Trierweiler Construction is continuing with sidewalk and colored concrete handicapped ramp installations in the Phase 1 construction area.

Another concrete activity that was initiated yesterday afternoon in the 300 block of East Lake Street was the installation of the colored (waterfowl or cattail) sidewalk stampings. Colored sidewalk stamping activity will continue in a westerly direction on Lake Street. In addition, some of the upright electrical bollards have been installed at some of the downtown intersections.

Some of the Phase 1 street signage may be erected next week coupled with some initial topsoil/landscape activity.

Most individual sewer and water lateral tie-ins in the Phase 2 construction area have been completed……..the only exception is an area under the Highway Street railroad tracks between Barstow Street and Main Street. That section will be completed sometime next week.

Two James Peterson Sons crews are also continuing to install storm drain/sewer in the Phase 2 area and a crew has begun to install breaker rock and base course stone between Columbia Street and Huron Street. This work will continue next week.

There will be a Lake and Vine Street intersection closure (Week of July 27 and Week of August 03). Details will be posted as we receive them.

It's looking pretty good by the library...

By Friday this week, Trierweiler will have completed most of the sidewalk on Stage 1. They will be back on Monday to finish up any remaining sidewalk. They may also start some sidewalk on the north side of West Lake Street. Peterson has completed all of their sanitary and watermain tie-ins except for a bore under the railroad tracks which they will complete next week. There are currently 2 crews working on storm sewer in Stage 2 and well as one grading crew. By the weekend, we will have breaker run and base course from Grand Street through Kilbourn Streets. Next week, both the storm sewer crews and the grading crew will continue working on Stage 2. On Stage 1, topsoil may start to go down and signs may be put up.

Woot! The end is nigh (at least one part)

According to my source "All information would seem to indicate that the Phase 1 construction area will be opened to vehicular traffic sometime on Saturday August 15. In conjunction with the Phase 1 street opening, the City of Horicon is planning some type of celebratory “ribbon-cutting” event and some of the business owners are looking to organize and host some type of street dance."

Intersection closings

The intersection of Lake of Vine Streets will be closed next week (June 22-26). Trierweiler Construction will begin their activities by completing the short section of roadway (northbound lane) between the Rock River bridge and Lake Street. Immediately thereafter they will pave the eastbound lane of Lake Street (south side of street) between Vine Street and Palmatory Street.

heads up on total road closures

Within the Phase 1 construction area all main line sewer, all main line water, all storm sewer/drains and all individual sewer and water lateral installations have been completed. The only exception is the immediate area encompassing the intersection of Lake & Vine Streets.

As soon as weather permits, gravel (stone aggregate) will be installed in the Lake street areas between Cedar Street and Vine Street.

A definitive timeline to begin concrete paving (including curbing and sidewalks) in the Phase 1 construction area is unknown at this time according to Karla. Weather conditions and contractor availability will better and further define this schedule of events. More information on this activity will be provided at a future date.

In the Phase 2 construction area Karla is reporting that several James Peterson Sons crews are continuing with their efforts to install main line sewer.

One important piece of information to keep in mind as the street project moves forward………I have been informed that the intersection of Lake and Vine Streets will be totally closed the last full week in July (week beginning July 27) and the first full week in August (week beginning August 03).

The closure of this intersection corresponds with the scheduled 2009 John Deere Horicon Works factory shutdown. The shutdown dates were confirmed with Deere representative, Ann Mulvaney yesterday.

The Deere shutdown will help reduce traffic congestion and activity in this area and allow work crews to complete any necessary underground work activity within the intersection.

Closure of the Lake and Vine Street intersection at this future date will most assuredly disrupt the current City of Horicon detour route. When the time nears, I would anticipate that the City of Horicon DPW ( who has the responsibility of maintaining the City detour route) will develop and publicize an alternate route.

from Steve Tamminga

Update from Karla

According to Karla, the “Main” sewer line and “Main” water line installations in the Phase 1 construction area have been completed.

General Contractor, James Peterson Sons is currently working to install individual sewer and water laterals in the downtown area.

Commencing next Monday morning (May 04) the Highway Street (Hwy 33) Railroad crossing (between Ellison Street and Kansas Street will be completely closed. I have been informed that the RR track repairs/updates in this area will continue for a (3) week period of time.

In addition, Karla has informed me that some additional activity in the Phase 2 construction area will commence in the middle of next week…..week beginning May 04. Concrete/pavement removal will begin on the opposite side of the Rock River Bridge (near the old St. Malachy’s Church) and continue west to an area near or at the Barstow Street Kwik Trip Station.

Please be prepared for these travel/navigational changes.

Weekly update from Karla Knorr

This week has been a very good week for the construction crews.  The weather has cooperated and a lot of work was done.  We currently have once sewer crew working near Clark Street.  This crew will continue working to the east and should reach the end of the project with the sanitary sewer main by mid next week.  That crew will then turn around and start on the water main.  The second crew is currently putting in sanitary sewer in between Elm and the Lake/Vine Intersection.  When they finish that, they will proceed with the watermain in the same area and also put in some additional storm sewer near the Lake/Vine Intersection.  Have a great weekend. 

new information on downtown routes

DOT Project Engineer, Karla Knorr is reporting this morning that the downtown intersection of Lake and Cedar Streets is currently closed. Sewer lateral infrastructure work has progressed eastward into this intersection.

Until further notice, north/south navigation across Lake Street is permitted at the intersection of Hubbard Street and the next intersection immediately to the west, that being Elm Street.

Dodge Co. official information

check out the official info about detours at the Dodge County website.

Elm Street open route

The open route through town North-South will be Elm Street, starting tomorrow (April 9). Guess what? That's the library's road! Come on in and get some movies, music, books or whatever you love best. We'll see you soon.

No Water & No Information

The library and City Hall--in fact much of downtown-- has no water today. We were not informed of the fact that we would have no water. Since the library is a public building that many people visit throughout the day, it is crucial for us to at least KNOW we'll have no water and no bathroom facilities available! I hope the DOT takes note--PLEASE TELL US when we are going to be experiencing a loss of utilities--we could have planned a response for this had we known. What do you think? Are you also out of water?

Update

"DOT project engineer, Karla Knorr has indicated that the pavement and concrete removal process will continue next week......pavement removal from the Bridge (near the Blue Heron Landing) north to Lake Street and continuing east to Elm Street will also commence next week. However, Karla has indicated that the pavement will remain intact at the intersection of Lake and Vine Streets until further notice.

Sanitary sewer infrastructure work will also begin next week at the intersection of Lake & Elm Streets."

Thanks to Steve Tamminga for the update.

Other Hwy 33 websites & TREES!

There are some other great informational websites to check regarding the Hwy 33 construction. Try the Horicon Chamber of Commerce site and the Blue Heron website. The Chamber of Commerce site hosts weekly updates from the DOT, and the Blue Heron site hosts the best detour maps I've seen.

As for the trees--is anyone else saddened by the loss of the trees along Lake St.? I understand they had to go, and I'm perhaps ridiculously sentimental about trees, but I was disheartened to see them chopped down anyway. I remember years ago, when I broke my leg on the corner of Elm and Lake, I was able to pull myself upright with the help of the small tree planted there. I've had an affection for that particular tree ever since. Does anyone else have memories of Lake Street or the trees they want to share?

More Delays!

Karla Knorr with the DOT says the detaour has been postponed until March 16.

Also, monthly street meetings will be held for business owners only.  2nd Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. in Activity Room A in City Hall.

Here is the latest (barely legible) map we were given at the library.

Kids and Construction

Anyone who has ever lived with a two-year-old knows the enduring passion such kids have for road equipment. So come into the library and get ready for the construction to begin around town with some books for any kids in your life. Click HERE for a list of construction books at our library.

How to Comment

SO, you'd like to talk back, but you don't know how? You need a google ID to do so. (I thought you could post without creating an account, but I was wrong.) But the good news is: it's very fast, very easy, and google doesn't hassle you with junk mail. Please get an account and comment--we're lonely.

Open Intersections

Below is the map we have showing which intersections will be kept open during the construction process. The yellow blob is your FAVORITE library, right? Right?!

Breaking News

I have it on the highest authority (Dave Magnussen at the DPW) that the construction project has been moved back slightly, to March 9th. We have a (brief) reprieve! Just BE CAREFUL if you see signs like these:

(Thanks to Dave Buchner for the photo)

Open Conversation

Here is where you can post your comments or ask questions about the Hwy 33 construction. The librarians will try to find answer any questions or illuminate and confusion. Since this blog can only be successful with your input, we hope you will comment now (even if it's "just" to offer your opinion!)

Welcome to the Hwy 33 contruction blog for Horicon!

You all know by now that March 3rd is the planned starting date for several months of construction through the center of Horicon. So many businesses, services, and travelers will be affected by the construction that the Horicon Public Library wanted to offer a place to talk about it.

So if you want to find (or offer) tips, maps or maybe vent a little bit, here's the blog for you. Here at the library we'll try to offer up-to-the minute information as we get it. But the people more intimately involved with the project (contractors, workers, or city or state officials) are invited, no begged, to add their 2 cents at any time.

To kick off the tips and maps area--here is a map showing the best way to get to the library during the first phase of construction (click to enlarge):

As you can see Lake Street will the best way to get to the library from the west, and Maple Street from the East. You will have to jaunt around on N. Vine Street or Elm St. to get to the library parking lot, which is located on Walnut Street--a one-way street traveling west to east. The good news is that the intersections of Hubbard and Lake, Cedar and Lake, and Vine and Lake are all scheduled to remain open as of this time.