July 18, 2018 – West Bend, WI – Expect to see quite a bit more movement on the east side redevelopment of the downtown West Bend Riverwalk in the coming weeks as contractors step up the project.
During a public meeting Wednesday morning, July 18 at West Bend City Hall, Mitchell Leisses with Kunkel Engineering fielded questions and walked through some of the work ahead.
A couple of the primary concerns focused on the removal of the south bridge which will affect deliveries to some downtown businesses. Parking on Veterans Avenue was also a concern as several spaces on the west side of Veterans Avenue will be lost with
-The focus of the update is on the east side of West Bend Riverwalk.
-The City did removals for the project in June including the brick pavers and some trees and shrubs.
-Contractors have started dredging underneath the bridge.
-Storm sewer included in project and that will then move to redi-rock wall.
-The south pedestrian bridge will be pulled Monday, July 23 and businesses that use that for deliveries have been notified.
-Modifications will be made to the bridge abutments and it will take about two months to get another bridge in place.
-Trying to replicate the bridge to the north but the south bridge will be on a smaller scale.
-New river wall, decorative plaza areas and new walkway will run parallel with Veterans Avenue.
-Decorative lighting and railings.
-Placement of tight sheeting and installation of redi-rock wall will last a couple months.
-Concrete walkway along Veterans Avenue will be in September.
-The roundabout on the south end of Veterans Avenue will remain open during construction.
-Bridge is being taken by Jahnke Construction.
-Project should almost be finished by mid to late October
-Ask for public to be patient and this can be time consuming
-Click HERE to see details on the Riverwalk plans.
-There won’t be a lot of street parking on Veterans Avenue and contractors hope people can park on the east side of the road especially when 20-foot sheets of piling are being moved in. The traffic will not affect the Museum of Wisconsin Art
-The old bridge, also known as ‘Kevin’s Bridge’ had steel that’s rotted and only pedestrian traffic and dollies were allowed to cross at this time. That bridge is being replaced.
-Parking spots on the west side of Veterans Avenue are being removed just south of the driveway for the Museum of Wisconsin Art. Still waiting for confirmation on how many spots are being eliminated.
-All permits have been passed by the DNR. Ready to go.
-Construction should be finished in late October/early November.
