Community Update – Street Construction Projects and Summer Activities

With another successful Cranberry Blossom Fest celebration concluded, I wish to thank all of the volunteers and sponsors who worked to make it possible as well as those who took part in the many events.

“Great Book Giveaway” and Summer Activities

Being able to read can make the difference between a child being successful in school or dropping out.  That is why I was proud to serve as a reading volunteer on June 10 at McMillan Memorial Library, as part of the United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Sixth Annual Great Book Giveaway to send a message of the importance of reading, even during the summer.

Reading a favorite of mine, “Oh the places you will go” by Dr. Seuss.

In all, the Great Book Giveaway ran from Wednesday through Friday, June 10-12, at seven different locations.  Volunteers read books to children up to age 12.  Afterwards, each child selected books to take home and keep.  By putting free books into the hands of children, the Great Book Giveaway bestows a gift that lasts a lifetime.

Of course, this event was just one in the summer-long schedule of reading programs McMillan Memorial Library offers toddlers, children and teens.

Just a few of the major highlights include:

• June 8-August 4 – Teen Reading Program (Ages 6-12}
• June 23 – Teen Book Club
• July 23 – All Ages Read-A-Thon
• August 3 – Library Night @ the Rafters Book Giveaway

Early childhood learning is essential to the future of our society.  I urge children and youth, parents, grandparents, caregivers, and daycare providers to attend and participate in the full range of McMillan Memorial Library reading events this summer.  For more information, call 715-421-5131, or visit www.mcmillan.org.

For a listing of other summer fun for families and children, click here for Wisconsin Rapids Parks & Recreation Summer programs.

City Road Construction Projects

The City of Wisconsin Rapids works to make streets safer and maintain appropriate maintenance and reconstruction cycles. Knowing that preventive maintenance helps to avoid more costly repairs or early reconstruction later on, the City continuously seeks out ways within our means to keep our infrastructure healthy and sustainable for generations to come.

The following projects have been completed:

• Washington Street Sidewalk – State Highway 54 to 28th Street N.
  – Completed May 15
• 17th Avenue N. – West Grand Avenue to Green Bay Street – Completed May 29
• West Grand Avenue Pavement Patching – 25th Avenue to Viaduct
  – Completed June 15

In order to promote driver and pedestrian safety during road maintenance season, our Public Works department wants local residents to be aware of these ongoing and upcoming street construction projects: Click each for a detailed project description.

• 7th Avenue N. – Harrison Street to High Street – Scheduled Completion June 24
  Closed to through traffic between High Street and Harrison Street; and at the High Street and 7th Avenue N. intersection. Truck route and detour routes from Riverview Expressway are at West Grand Avenue and Wilson Street.
• Klevene Court – 15th Place S. to West Cul-de-sac – Scheduled Completion June 24
  No road closure.
• 8th Street S and Grove Avenue Mid-block Concrete Refuge Island
  Completion is scheduled the week of June 26.
  Awaiting traffic control parts and planting in island area.
• Apple Street – 8th Street S. to 12th Street S. – Scheduled Completion Week of August 17.
  Road closed to through traffic between 8th Street S. to 12th Street S.
• Chestnut Street – 8th Street S. to 16th Street S.
  Work begins the week of June 29, with scheduled completion the week of October 1.
  The road will be closed to through traffic between 8th Street S. to 16th Street S.
• Municipal Zoo Parking Lot
  Completion is scheduled the week of September 28.
  The City will be reconstructing a new parking lot for the City zoo.  Work to be done includes grading and shaping the base course, paving asphalt, and painting parking lot stalls. This project will also improve the traffic flow between pedestrians and vehicles.
• 8th Street S. and Chestnut Street Highway Safety Improvement Program
  Maintenance and modification work begins the week of September 28, with scheduled completion the week of October 19.
  This joint project between the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the City of Wisconsin Rapids is designed to solve safety concerns at the intersection.  Construction is for restriping and modifying traffic signals.  Some lane closure is expected, but no road closures

In addition, the Public Works Department will oversee the chip sealing and crack sealing of more than 50 streets, beginning the week of July 20, and finishing up the week of July 27. These maintenance and repair projects are designed to extend pavement life and provide good driving surfaces.

• With chip seals, a thin film of heated asphalt liquid is sprayed on the road surface, followed by the placement of small aggregates (“chips”).  The chips are then compacted to maximize adherence to the asphalt, and excess stone is swept from the surface.
• During the crack sealing process, maintenance crews will clean out all loose debris and dry out moisture in the cracks, and then apply the sealing compound
• Traffic will resume on affected streets shortly after sealing procedures are complete.

When driving near these areas, consider an alternate route. Further, please proceed with caution; be aware of workers, equipment and barriers; and be prepared for possible delays. For more information, call the Engineering Department at: 715-421-8205; by email: engineering@wirapids.org or Streets Department at 715-421-8218 or JVelazquez@wirapids.org.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we make all of these improvements to our City’s infrastructure.

Thank you for reading,

Mayor Zach Vruwink