By Dave Fidlin
The end date of Whitewater’s extensive East Gateway project is being pushed out a month, due to several unforeseen circumstances.
Assistant City Manager Chris McDonell came before the Common Council on Sept. 2 and shared an update on the extensive project, which has carried a more than $2.3 million price tag since work got underway early this summer.
After meeting with the city’s hired contractor, McDonell said he learned recently the projected end date of this Friday, Sept. 12 has been pushed out four weeks, to Friday, Oct. 10.
The scenario means motorists and pedestrians frequenting the east end of Whitewater will have to continue navigating orange barrels and other construction equipment for the next month.
The East Gateway work entails reconstructing Milwaukee Street to Wisconsin Street and adding a three-way intersection that conjoins with Whitewater and Main streets.
McDonell cited several factors for the delay, including unanticipated delays from telephone and utility companies. Infrastructure needs to be relocated to accommodate some of the construction work that is taking place.
“It is disappointing because the utility companies have known about this project for a year,” McDonell said.
In recent weeks, leading up to the Sept. 2 council meeting, City Manager Cameron Clapper said pieces of the puzzle were coming together, and the likelihood of a delay seemed inevitable. But he said the four-week delay was a surprise.
Clapper said other components of the project, including concrete ductwork, were other reasons behind the delay.
Several council members expressed frustration behind the delay, which has necessitated diverting traffic and causing other disruptions to local businesses and other property owners throughout the summer.
“This is a nuisance,” council member Ken Kidd said. “It’s more than an inconvenience.”
Council members asked McDonell and Clapper whether there would be a change order for the project — phraseology that typically means the total cost coming in higher than originally anticipated. At this point, however, there is no clear indication such a scenario is occurring.
The East Gateway project began in June and was under review for about a year before construction equipment began digging into existing asphalt.
One key component of the project has been the revamp of the three-way intersection in the area. The existing configuration has been deemed awkward. Eastbound traffic along Main Street will be eliminated, as part of the revamp.
Pedestrian-friendly touches have also been included in the work, as have streetscaping enhancements to help beautify the area.
The city’s East Gateway region was last updated in 1979. This spring as the conceptual planning phase came to an end, Clapper said most of the existing infrastructure is antiquated by today’s standards.
“There has been an issue with accessibility, as well as good design,” Clapper said. “That’s why (pedestrian friendly features) are being added to the project.”
