Road weary

Construction patience grows thin, but officials say work is on schedule

By Ed Nadolski

Editor in chief

When it comes to road construction, progress can be deceiving – at least that’s what City of Burlington officials are saying regarding the work along Milwaukee Avenue.

City officials issued a press release last week assuring residents the project remains on schedule for completion in early November. But that didn’t stop members of the City Council on Tuesday from grilling the project engineer, who essentially told them the same thing.

Those who’ve complained to city officials regarding the project are upset by the apparent lack of progress in the work zone – which stretches from Congress Street to Paul Street – or the lack of sufficient notice about project impacts.

In actuality, officials said, the project is progressing as planned, but much of the current work revolves around the installation of new utility lines, which provides little visual progress.

“While it may appear to some that the work is stalled, it is actually being completed at night,” the city’s release said. “Due to the fact that the utility work required the closure and a detour of Milwaukee Avenue, the work is being conducted at night to minimize impacts to businesses.”

Crews worked from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. last week while traffic was rerouted at Grove and Paul streets to Crestwood Drive. The regular traffic pattern, with both lanes of traffic restricted to the east side of the road, resumed during the day.

The west side of the road is scheduled to be paved with concrete by mid October and work will then be moved to the east side of the road. That phase is expected to move relatively quickly with pavement removal, grading, pouring of concrete and finishing touches taking about a month.

Engineer Tom Foht of Kapur and Associates told the City Council Tuesday the first phase of the project is slightly behind schedule, but that will be made up during the second phase.

Foht said the concrete – which takes longer to install – will create a more durable surface that will last longer and require less frequent major repairs than an asphalt surface.

He said his firm is doing its best to move the project along and make sure it’s completed on time.

“We realize it’s a busy roadway,” Foht said. “The only (other) option is to close it entirely.”

With traffic restricted to one lane in each direction, long lines of vehicles often develop during peak drive times.

City officials are asking for patience from motorists, residents and business owners.

“We realize that travel in certain areas of the city is very difficult and we are working hard with our contractors to ensure that travel is disrupted for the least amount of time,” the city’s release said.

Apparently some business owners along Milwaukee Avenue also said they would like more notification of project impacts, such as the decision to close the road at night. Some of those businesses remain open after 10 p.m., which is when the road was closed.

Foht said people with businesses in the construction zone have access to project officials and are welcome to attend the weekly construction meetings.

However, he admitted that, “It’s an inconvenience for everybody out there.”

Alderman Katie Simenson said she’s heard complaints from residents who were surprised to see their neighborhood roads being resurfaced. She said the city needs to do a better job of informing residents of when work will commence.

“At least let them know 48 hours ahead of time,” she said.

Toward that end, city crews have posted signs along the streets slated for repaving in the coming weeks.

Other projects to begin

Another round of road repairs elsewhere in the city will begin over the next two weeks.

On Monday, work begins on the repaving of Dale and Dunford drives. That work is expected to last into October.

A week later, on Sept. 17, work is slated to begin on the repaving of Echo Drive between Paul Street and Monica Avenue; and on the entire length of Foxtrail Circle. Both of those jobs are scheduled to last until November.

This story includes reporting by staff writer Jennifer Eisenbart.