2022 Town Road Improvement Discretionary Project – Town of Grant, Portage Co

Weekly News Blast: Best to grab a tall one…this is going to be a long weekly update! We received official confirmation from WisDOT that Pine Street (CTH U – 90th) will receive a $44,000 Transportation Road Improvement (TRI-) grant to mend this section of road. But we also received confirmation that we will not receive either a TRI-Discretionary (50%) or Tri-Supplemental (90%) grant to construct the bridges on 95th and 100th Streets over Four Mile Creek. These would have provided up to $500,000. Usually only one municipality in Portage County receives these special grants every other year. In the last grant cycle, we received one for Buena Vista Road ($221,000) but not this time. As a result, Portage Co. Highway Department, rather than the T. Grant will bid these projects this year. Those of you who frequent 95th Street know that the integrity of the road is very poor. Thanks to part-time public works employees Jerry Reinwand and Jim Yetter, along with Supervisor Doug Steltenpohl the sides of the road were secured this week (see attached). They deserve our thanks. The Plan Commission met to consider public comments from the Zoning Ordinance hearing held last week. All comments were taken under advisement. Additional definitions are now being drafted. Once the Zoning Ordinance is finalized the Sign Ordinance will be drafted as an accompaniment. Both will be considered by the Town Board later. The Town of Saratoga held an Informational Meeting regarding utility solar with a special emphasis on battery storage facilities. Many local fire department staff were in attendance to learn about fire suppression of these semi-size batteries. Clerk Stefanie Schlapa and I were in attendance to hear the many and varied questions and to ask a few ourselves. Stefanie received word this week that resident Russell Brody filed a notice to petition to recall Supervisors Scott Provost, Doug Steltenpohl, and me. If the petitions succeed the Town will need to hold a Special Election at taxpayers’ expense. This is the latest in a series of actions brought against the current officers. Last August former Supervisor Heather Grys-Luecht filed a certified complaint with the Portage County District Attorney. He found no cause and dismissed her complaint. Then in November she filed a lawsuit against the Town of Grant, Clerk Stefanie Schlapa, Treasurer Greg Hakala, Supervisor Scott Provost, and me. The circuit judge has yet to schedule a hearing. There will be costs to town taxpayers and disclosed when finalized. However, the costs to town officers in terms of time, energy, and emotions take away from our ability to serve you. We all bring unique skills “to the table” but when we are compelled to use our time presiding over petty politics, everyone loses. There will always be those who consider us unworthy of public office. But I state with confidence that the current officers are hard-working and honest people. I considered myself lucky to be among them. Perhaps the rain will lighten the dust…enjoy the weekend.

2022 Town Road Improvement Discretionary Project

Buena Vista Creek Bridges on 95th and 100th Streets

THE PROJECT IS COMPLETE

Final pictures of 95th Street

Final pictures of 100th Street

Project Progression

Week 1 - Pictures from 6/7/2022

95th Street

95th Street 1

95th Street 2

95th Street 3

95th Street 4

Pictures from 6/10/2022 - Should be able to pour concrete next week

95th Street 5

95th Street 6

Week 2 - 6/14/22

6/14/22 Progress Report

Pouring concrete has begun
Buena Vista Creek at 95th Street

95th Street 7

95th Street 8

95th Street 9

95th Street 10

Week 3 - 6/21/22

6/21/22 Progress Report

Much of the work took place out of sight of the camera this week.
Concrete will be poured on the south side of the bridge starting on Wednesday.

Week 3 - 6/26/22

A lot of concrete was poured this week.

Week 4 - 6/29 & 6/30

6/28/22 Progress Report

Dry run and post pour

Week 4 - 7/2/22

You can now see under the bridge on 95th Street..

Week 5 - 7/8/22

Looking north on 95th Street, road surface prep heading south towards Buena Vista Creek , and the new rails.

Week 6 - 7/14/22

7/12/22 Progress Report

95th Street is now open.
Paving will take place when 100th is paved. The bridge over 100th closed today.

End of Week 6 - 7/17/22

7/19/22 Progress Report

Getting started on 100th

End of Week 7 - 7/23/2022

100th Street
Pavement and old culverts removed.

End of Week 8 - 7/30/22

Concrete pouring has started on 100th Street

End of Week 9 - 8/6/2022

Cross beams added on 100th Street

End of Week 10 - 8/13/2022

Gloomy day with pavement under plastic.

Week 11 - 8/18/2022

Shortly after sunrise.
Grating is planned for today. Then the paving the approaches to the two new bridges can begin.

Week 12 - 8/23/2022

Paving on 95th Street is taking place

End of Week 12 - 8/27/2022

Open Bridge on 100th Street

Pictures of the completed project

95th Street Bridge looking downstream

95th Street Bridge looking downstream

95th Street Bridge looking upstream

95th Street Bridge looking upstream

100th Street Bridge looking downstream

100th Street Bridge looking downstream

100th Street Bridge looking upstream

100th Street Bridge looking upstream

Heading north on 95th Street

Heading north on 95th Street

Heading north on 100th Street

Heading north on 100th Street

Heading south on 95th Street

Heading south on 95th Street

Heading south on 100th Street

Heading south on 100th Street