By Jacob Mathias

A preliminary schedule for the Wisconsin Rapids Department of Public Works’ 2016 projects was seen at a meeting of the city’s Public Works Committee on December 1.

The 2016 public works project schedule includes a majority of road construction projects as in years past as well as some water line maintenance. The current schedule begins in early April and run to late September but is subject to change.

“This is very preliminary,” said Public Works Director Joe Terry.

The first project, an extension of 24th Street South, is slated to begin April 6. The extension allows access into a new senior living facility being built by Hilltop Associates.

A portion of Apple Street from 12th Street South to 18th Street South and along First Street North from Apricot Street to Lavigne Street is scheduled to be resurfaced. Apple Street would begin on April 13 and First Street North is set for May 11.

A complete rebuild of Third Avenue North from West Grand Ave. to Jackson Street is scheduled from June 22 to August 2. A storm sewer repair on Fifth Avenue North near Highway 13/34 follows on July 13 and is scheduled for completion on July 31.

“There’s a siphon in the ditch there that we’ve got some concern that it isn’t perhaps operating to what it was designed for,” said Terry.

Sanitary sewer and storm sewer lining work is set to impact the area of 17th Avenue North between Green Bay Street and Rosecrans Street from July 20 to September 11. Storm sewer lining is also planned for installation on Chestnut Street between Eighth Street South and 16th Street South from July 28 to September 8.

“That’s on the same project we just completed,” said Terry.

Annual minor street repairs including chip sealing and concrete pavement patching begins July 20 and continues to August 21.

The replacement of a raw water line, which carries untreated water to the city’s treatment facility, is scheduled for July 27 to September 4. This project may be completed earlier as Water Department officials said it’s better to install the raw water line before the heat of summer sets in.

“That work can be done and will be done by our in-house crew. It’s something we can handle ourselves,” said Water Superintendent Dale Scheunemann.

The city’s public works crews would normally install the raw water line but with a light maintenance schedule for 2016, Scheunemann said his own crews will be able to complete the work. Not having to budget for public works crews will save money in the Water Department.

The final public works project is an extension of 14th Place South which would expand the Rosewood subdivision. The extension is scheduled from September 7 to 25.

The schedule is not set in stone and will continue to be discussed to make the best use of city resources and employee time. The next meeting of the Public Works Committee is January 5 at 4:00 PM.