Sewer main failing under Washington Avenue in Sheboygan
Sections of the thoroughfare will be repaired but not completely repaved
SHEBOYGAN — Workers have made a startling discovery during an inspection of a sewer main under Washington Avenue on the city’s south side.
During a routine inspection conducted by the Department of Public Works earlier this year, workers discovered a segment of the sanitary sewer under Washington Avenue was failing. The sewer was initially constructed in 1968. Sections of the street were reconstructed in 1984 and 1985. The last time it was repaved was in 2006 when Walmart was built, part of those improvements were paid for by the retailer.
Drivers who use the thoroughfare are well aware of the deteriorating condition of the street. City Engineer Kevin Jump of Howards Grove has refused to answer questions about when the street would see improvements. During a meeting of the Public Works Committee scheduled for Monday, he is recommending awarding a contract worth $330,218 to Northeast Asphalt for improvements between South Business Drive and the Taylor Drive Beltline. Once the contract is approved by the committee and the Common Council, work is expected to take place before the end of this year.
Sections of the street will be repaved with two inches of new asphalt.
The project was included in the city’s approved Capital Improvement Plan. The Common Council previously approved a State Municipal Financial Agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for future repairs on Washington Avenue. The state project aims to perform more extensive and comprehensive repairs in the future but no timeframe was provided for when that may occur.
As part of the contract, the City of Sheboygan will pay the company $21,550 alone in barricades and detour signage. As previously reported by WKTS News, the city does not have a shortage of barricades. It remains unclear why the city would allocate substantial funds toward items that are already readily available. Repeated attempts to contact Jump have been unsuccessful. His lack of communication and transparency has also frustrated some of the city’s Neighborhood Associations.
Washington Avenue between Interstate 43 and South Business Drive is signed as Highway 28 which makes it eligible for state funding. It had been County Trunk PP until becoming State Highway 28. The street saw a number of improvements in 1984 including widening, the construction of the present Union Pacific railroad overpass, the I-43 interchange and a 16 inch water main which provides drinking water to the Village of Kohler.
In 1985, the section between the railroad bridge and South Business Drive was constructed at a cost of $892,000. The street was shifted to the north side of the car dealership. To this day, the old Washington Avenue exists behind the dealership which is now owned by the Rydell Automotive Group. The last time Washington Avenue was rebuilt between South Taylor Drive and South Business Drive was in 2006.
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