November 3, 2022 at 11:09 a.m.
Under construction: Multiple city, state road projects expected in 2023
Under construction: Multiple city, state road projects expected in 2023
The City of Rhinelander is planning approximately $13 million in road repairs and infrastructure upgrades while the Wisconsin DOT is planning to work on Highway 17 (between U.S. 8 and Stevens Street) and Highway 8 (from the roundabout to N. Rifle Road) in 2023. The Highway 17 project will include replacement of asphalt while the Highway 8 project is expected to include new asphalt as well as replacement of gutters and the storm sewer system, according to Mayor Kris Hanus.
All of this is bound to cause some headaches for motorists. That's why Hanus wanted to give the community an early head's up.
"I'm trying to prep the community for what the good and the frustration of living through this next year will be," Hanus told reporters as part of a press briefing at City Hall late last week. "I wouldn't want to be re-seeding my lawn knowing the road's going to get chewed up, so I figure more communication's better than less."
He went on to note that his goal is to see $25 million in road improvements completed during his four-year term.
"People care about roads," he said, noting that the number one complaint he has heard since he took office in April is that the roads are in poor condition. "Driving in this town is what people do. Hiking and biking is important, and we can do it conjunction (with road projects), but if people can't drive in our town, they don't shop and we have no funds and we can't function."
Hanus noted that the second half of the Timber Drive project will be completed next year and the council last month approved sending the Oneida Avenue project out for bids. That approximately $9 million project involves much more than just Oneida Avenue itself, he noted. In addition to a complete reconstruction of Oneida up to Rives Street, the project is also slated to include King, Conro, Anderson and Courtney streets.
N. Brown Street to the viaduct may also see some improvements, he added, noting that other work may also be done, depending on the bids received for the Oneida project and whether there are funds leftover that can be used for additional repairs.
Nothing is official yet, as firm decisions can't be made until the bids are received and the council determines if they are acceptable, he stressed.
"Officially, none of this official," he said. "Meaning it's all pending on the quotes we get and how they come and the council's blessing, but this is the intent of what we'd like to do next year..."
No matter how it all pans out, Hanus said there will inevitably be a "strain on the system" in terms of traffic flow.
"The strain on the system will be is you've got road construction on the bypass, you have road construction on 8, you have Courtney is a main drag, Oneida, River Street, Brown, Timber and Stevens has some warranty work being done. So, there could be a point in time where pick a road, there's going to be cones, but it's desperately needed in our city...."
The city projects will be paid for through a combination of grant money, low interest loans and PRAT (premiere resort area tax) revenue. The PRAT, approved by voters back in 2016, is a half-cent on the dollar tax on tourism-related items.
Hanus noted that the city's PRAT revenue numbers have solid over the law few years, which is good news for those who want better roads as PRAT revenue must be used for street repairs.
Another major focus for city officials over the last several years has been increasing the city's walkability and bikeability.
To that end, a $318,000 grant will fund the construction of a biking and walking trail along Timber Drive to Highway 17 and the state's Highway 17 project will include a multi-use trail, Hanus said.
"My goal is to get all of our major parks, the Dome, the ice arena, downtown, all connected from hiking, walking, biking abilities," he said.
Maps outlining the city's street improvement plans are posted at City Hall for citizens to review.
Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].
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