By Joe Bachman

The beginning of April will see the start of multiple spring construction projects for the Wisconsin Rapids area.

Joe Terry, Director of Public Works, spoke in-depth about the coming projects, and what they mean for the community. There will be 11 projects in total, starting from this April to the middle of September.

Construction on Apple St., from 12th St. to 15th St. will start construction on Apr. 11. “We’re also doing some infrastructure along with it that is appropriate to do,” said Joe Terry. “The project that is going to affect quite a few people is going to be 1st St. North, to Spring St.”

This project stretches all the way to North Poplar St., but more importantly affects truck routes along Spring St. “The project involves everything, from sanitary sewers, water mains, and the street itself doesn’t need a standard cross-section, so we’re going to be changing that,” said Terry. “There will also be a few power pulls that will need to be re-located.”

Terry explained that the issue is that 1st St. is a busy street, and Spring St. is a local delivery route. The project is still in the planning stages of traffic control while the construction is underway. The hope is that the closure at Spring St. and 1st St. is as minimal is possible.

There is also a paving project set to start in mid-June between 1st St. North to Lavigne St. and and Apricot St. on the other side of the tracks. This will again affect 1st St. North in regards to traffic control in some regards.

The larger Summer project will see construction between 3rd Ave. North to W. Grand Ave. around Jackson St. “We’re replacing sanitary sewer and some water mains,” said Terry. “There are also delivery routes along that street, and we’re still in the process of developing a traffic control plan for that.” Terry sees this particular project as the one that could affect the most residents in Wisconsin Rapids.

There are pre-construction meetings that the public can attend regarding the coming projects. These meetings will outline traffic detours, project specifics and will address any potential public concerns. Terry stated the importance of public outreach so that residents know what is coming in the Spring to Summer months in road construction.

“The more we can get the word out so people know what’s going on, the better,” said Terry.