WIS 49, North Street (Waupaca) to Depot Street (Scandinavia), Waupaca County

Location

WIS 49, North Street (Waupaca) to Depot Street (Scandinavia), Waupaca County

Project location map

Overview

The WIS 49 pavement is showing signs of deterioration. The pavement was partially reconstructed or rehabilitated in 1999.

Needs identified along this section of WIS 49, include:

  • Deteriorating guardrails, culverts, storm sewer and spot curb and gutter
  • Curb ramps do not meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards in Waupaca
  • Bicycles and pedestrians are using the existing 3-foot paved shoulder between the residential areas in Waupaca (North Street) and Timber Drive to access an existing multi-use trail north of Timber Drive
  • Ongoing erosion on the west side of WIS 49 approximately a half-mile north of County Q

Proposed improvements

  • Pavement resurfacing along with installation of new pavement marking and placement of centerline rumble strips in the rural areas to maintain safety
  • Guardrail replacements and spot curb and gutter repairs
  • Four culvert replacements, including the culvert at Nichol Creek
  • Storm sewer replacement near Depot Street
  • Replacement of curb ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, where feasible
  • Shoulder paving between North Street and Timber Drive to better accommodate multi-modal users
  • Construction of two retaining walls with new guardrails to stabilize the ongoing slope erosion approximately a half-mile north of County Q

Real Estate

Additional right of way will be required for this project. This will include small areas of permanent (fee) and temporary (temporary limited easement) land acquisitions to accommodate the improvements. Estimated right of way impacts are shown on the exhibits posted on the project website.

Real estate acquisition has begun and will run through summer 2023.

Rights of Landowners Under Wis Eminent Domain Law [Wis Stats 32.05]

Traffic Impacts

  • Motorists can expect to encounter daily flagging operations and single lane closures during construction
  • A short-term detour (up to 10 days) is proposed to facilitate the replacement of the large culvert at Nichol Creek and storm sewer replacement near Depot Street
    • The proposed detour is US 10 to WIS 161
    • Larson Road will be closed during Nichol Creek culvert work
  • During construction of two retaining walls approximately a half-mile north of County Q, single lane conditions with temporary traffic signals will be used
  • Access to adjacent properties will be maintained during construction
    • Brief interruptions in access may occur temporarily at driveways
    • The contractor will be required to notify homeowners and businesses prior to construction

Schedule

  • Concept plans: May 2020
  • Local official meeting: October 2020
  • Public involvement: October/November 2020
  • Environmental document: Winter 2020
  • Preliminary plans: Winter 2020
  • Right of way plat: Spring 2021
  • Real estate negotiations: Spring 2021 to summer 2023
  • Final plans: August 2023
  • Construction currently scheduled: 2024

Public Involvement

A virtual Public Involvement period was held from Oct. 19, 2020 to Nov. 20, 2020. The following information was presented:

Review handout

Review presentation

Map 1: North Street to Smokey Valley Road

Map 2: Smokey Valley Road to Depot Street

Map 3: North Street to Larson Road

Map 4: Proposed Retaining Wall-Guardrail Replacement Detail

Contacts

Your input is welcome and appreciated throughout the design process. Deaf or hard of hearing persons needing assistance should contact the Wisconsin Telecommunications Relay system (dial 711).

For more information, please contact the WisDOT Project Manager:

Wendy Arneson, P.E.
WisDOT North Central Region
1681 2nd Avenue South
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
715-421-7391
Wendy.Arneson@dot.wi.gov