DOT presents preliminary plans for Highway 50

By Gail Peckler-Dziki Correspondent

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) hosted a public information hearing about proposed 2018 improvements to Highway 50, from 256th Avenue to 236th Avenue, during a  meeting held April 23 at the Paddock Lake Village Hall.

Steve Shindler, project manager for WisDot presented the concept that includes closure of two unused driveways and the addition of a filtration basin on village owned property.

One driveway between La Cabana and the car wash is already abandoned and the concrete would be removed. The Citgo is served by three driveways, one on 246th venue and two on Highway 50. The western driveway on Highway 50 would be abandoned.

The filtration basin would be located on Highway 50 between 243 rd Avenue and 74th Place. Two lots were given to the village in the 1960s for village use and the basin would be on that property. Several residents from 74th Place asked questions about exactly where the basin would be located and how large it might be.

“There is a small turn-around at the end of 74th Place,” explained resident Eileen Gold. “Our street (74th Place) is very short and very narrow. That turn-around allows access for the snowplow, garbage trucks and mail delivery. We don’t want to lose any of that.”

About 10 percent of the turn-around is on private  property, with the rest on part of the two lots owned by the village.

According to village administrator Tim Popanda, “The available area is too small for any major improvements to the turn-around, but the village will continue to maintain it as a service to residents.”

It is plowed in the winter. In the spring, the village makes sure that gravel is pushed back onto the turn-around so it is pothole free.

Shindler said there were no definite dimensions for that basin. “This is an informational meeting so you can tell us things about the area.”

According to Popanda, the filtration basin would not be an open basin. “ If the bottom were not hard packed clay, a plastic liner would be paced at the bottom with a drain. Layers of engineered soil would be placed on top, ending with a layer of grass.

There would never be any standing water in the basin and the soils would allow water from Highway 50 to drain and leave solids before the water went to the lake.”

Popanda said the possibility of adding plantings to that area to give residents a buffer from Highway 50 were discussed.

The rehabilitation project will include new pavement surface, spot curb and gutter repair and median surface repair in addition to the drainage improvements. Intersection improvements to highways 83 and 50 include the addition of right turn lanes on eastbound Highway 50 and northbound Highway 83.

The southbound turn lane from Highway 50 onto Highway83 would require the purchase of land from Walgreens and impact part of the parking. A retaining wall to maintain the parking lot would be required.

A long eastbound storage turning lane from Highway 50 into the Central High School entrance is also part of the planned improvements. Popanda said that this would go a long way to easing traffic tie-ups in the mornings.

The project is expected to begin in May 2018 and be completed by the end of that summer. Traffic will continue to use Highway 50 during contraction. The planned multi-use trail for Central High School is included in the engineering and would be completed by 2014 so that the school will not lose grant money for the project.

For more information, call Steve Shindler at (262) 548-8645.

 

 


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