Streetscape project slated to wrap up Nov. 18 for 2016

BY KEVIN BONESKE

REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER

October has come and gone, but work on downtown Rhinelander’s Streetscape project continues for this year.

Rhinelander public works director Tim Kingman said the project’s previous contracted completion date for 2016 of Oct. 31 is being extended to Nov. 18 to allow enough time to finish the remaining work for this year. He noted adding a block to the reconstruction work on Stevens Street between Rives and Frederick Street and delays with the weather have extended the project into November.

However, Kingman said the project “is in a good spot” for completing all the work planned for this year with most of the paving already done. He noted electrical work, such as with the installation and wiring of traffic lights, is scheduled to take place next week with the goal now to have all the streets in the downtown area open by Nov. 11.

Though Brown and Stevens Street are both paved through the Davenport Street intersection, Kingman said the barricades are up to block traffic from the north and south until the traffic lights are installed there. Traffic has been able to proceed east and west on Davenport Street between the bridge and courthouse square for the past several weeks.

He said piping work taking place along the Davenport Street bridge, for which one of the eastbound lanes is closed, is also slated to wrap up this month.

Kingman said a contract extension date of Nov. 18 for this year will allow an additional week, if necessary, to finish the work planned for 2016.

Next spring, he said completion of the Streetscape project will begin sometime in April or May with the final road surface work taking place along with the installation of benches, bike racks and signage in the downtown area.

Kingman said next year’s Streetscape work is slated to wrap up by June 30.