The City of Rhinelander Water & Sewer Utility will be having two meetings to begin planning the completion of an extensive utility project over the next two constructions seasons. The meetings will be held at Rhinelander City Hall on May 15 at 2 p.m. for businesses and 7 p.m. for residential improvements.

This utility project will replace underground utility lines and disrupt street surfaces as required to improve aged infrastructure in key areas of the City. The City has qualified to receive USDA Rural Development and Wisconsin Economic Development grant funding to reduce the full costs that would normally be experienced by utility customers. With a clear need for this work and opportunity for favorable funding, the City will begin meeting with interested business owners and residents to discuss project details. The project work has now been publicly bid and is anticipated to proceed in May of 2013.

During the first construction season, work is planned on Brunner, Kemp, Moen, Prospect, Bruns and Park Streets as well as behind the Trigs and Oneida Mall complex. The local traffic necessary for resident access will be maintained on a daily basis however, a key impact of this construction will require closure of the Kemp Street area to normal through traffic this summer. It is estimated the Kemp Street closure, from Arbutus Street to the Wisconsin River Bridge, will be required for a 3-4 month time period to complete necessary work. During the Kemp Street closure, alternative through traffic routes will be provided via Sutliff Ave., Hwy. 8 Bypass to Oneida Ave., and Hwy. 47 via River Street. Although other City services will be maintained during all phases of this project, there will be instances where normal traffic patterns and activities will have to be disrupted.

The City of Rhinelander and the assigned Contractor for the construction work will meet with attending City businesses and residents to further discuss the schedule and details of the project work. All residents are welcome to attend either of the two meetings.