A recent email from Portage County Highway Commissioner Nathan Check stated that the CTH WW/Four Mile bridge installation has been pushed back while awaiting the contractor’s schedule. Much like the Town of Grant’s bridge projects on 95th, 100th, and 110th, their project will replace a structurally deficient culvert with a concrete slab bridge. And like our projects, the bridge, rather than culvert, will allow for a natural creek bottom and appropriate stream width.
A brief July 10 article in the Portage County Gazette reported that the WDNR had issued an “incidental take” permit for a rare wood turtle that may result from the project. “Incidental take” refers to the unintentional loss of an endangered or threatened animal or plant but according to scientific estimates does not put the species’ overall population at risk. Four Mile Creek is a trout stream and as such, many plant and animal species rely on this resource. Any potential “take” may be outweighed by the health, safety and welfare to the public traversing this new structure, and the “take”, should it occur, will likely recover.
It’s going to be a scorcher this weekend but next week is supposed to be more agreeable. Stay cool, Sharon