Open house to review South East Avenue reconstruction project to be held Thursday

An open house, informational-style meeting to discuss the extensive reconstruction of South East Avenue from Sunset Drive to College Avenue will take place Thursday at Whittier Elementary School, 1103 South East Avenue. 

Representatives from R.A. Smith National, Inc., the design consultant, and engineers with the City of Waukesha will be on hand from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium.

There will not be a formal presentation and those interested can attend anytime during these hours.

According to the city’s Department of Public Works, the purpose of the meeting is to review the final roadway design and to present the proposed acquisition of temporary construction easements.

The purpose of the project is to upgrade South East Avenue to current design and safety standards, improve drainage, reconstruct pedestrian ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act standards and replace the existing deteriorated pavement.

This is the third meeting regarding this project. According to the DPW, since the last meeting about a year ago the project has been divided into two phases with different construction schedules due to construction funding limitations.

The first is construction of South East Avenue from Estberg Avenue to College Avenue scheduled for 2013, while the second is from Sunset Drive to Estberg Avenue scheduled for 2015.

The projects include storm sewer, street lighting, traffic signal improvements at the South East Avenue/College Avenue and South East Avenue/Sunset Drive intersections, pedestrian ramp reconstruction, bicycle accommodations, driveway apron reconstruction and some sidewalk replacement.

The sidewalk will remain in its existing location. However, temporary construction easements will be needed at certain locations to replace sidewalk, driveways and pedestrian ramps at intersections.

The proposed roadway from Wabash Avenue to College Avenue consists of a two-lane roadway with no parking on either side of the road. The proposed roadway from Sunset Drive to Wabash Avenue consists of a two-lane roadway with a parking lane on the west side of the street.

Construction in 2013 will close South East Avenue to traffic. Access to driveways along South East Avenue will be maintained during construction.

The DPW states that the projects are being funded with federal and city funds.