Public works committee reviews street repairs, East Jackson Street LRIP award and sewer project funding

The Wisconsin Rapids Public Works Committee received monthly reports from the street and engineering departments, including storm cleanup work, ongoing construction projects and several major grant updates.

Public works superintendent Paul Valick reported that crews spent over three weeks clearing brush after an ice storm in April, completed restoration work on McKinley and Harrison streets, began preparations for phase one of the East Jackson Street project, and completed underground work on a two-block section of 16th Street. Valick said the city took delivery of two trucks ordered in March and continued routine patching, mastic work and fleet maintenance.

Valick and other staff said the city did not meet the threshold to recoup ice-storm cleanup costs under the state emergency declaration.

City engineer Joestead told the committee that signal-improvement plans (including flashing yellow arrows) are complete for several intersections and that the Riverwall rehabilitation project is set to begin after July 4. Joestead reported the city received notice of a Wisconsin DOT Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) supplemental award for the East Jackson Street project, which has total eligible costs of $1.55 million at a 50/50 cost share; DOT's contribution would be up to $775,000. Staff said they are auditing eligible items to maximize what can be covered by the grant.

Joestead also updated the committee on the Westside Interceptor sewer project: DNR increased the project budget to $6.1 million and raised principal forgiveness (loan forgiveness) to $1.89 million, improving the project's funding outlook.

Committee members thanked staff for grant work and noted completed referral items. The committee set its next meeting for June 4 and adjourned at 5:39 p.m.