Weather Causes Problems with Project

The Highway 7 Widening project has run into a couple of problems which will not allow the intersection of Northwestern Drive and to the West to be opened as planned.  The contractor was planning on paving today, Saturday, and Sunday in an effort to get the intersection open.  Untimely rain has caused problems with getting the sub-base prepared for paving.  So paving is unlikely to take place as planned.

With the start of school on Monday citizens should be prepared to use alternate routes.  Updates will be posted as are received.

Update on Access During Closure

There has been a lot of thru traffic using Hwy 7 while construction is going on.  Today thru traffic will no longer be allowed to go through the construction area.

Access to all businesses and homes west of 1515 W. Milwaukee including Culligan will need to access from the West.  There will be no access from the East.

Access to all businesses and homes east of 1501 W. Milwaukee including United Assembly of God Church will need to access from the East. There will be no access from the West.

During construction citizens are reminded that the road is closed to thru traffic for the safety of construction workers and the public.

Below is a map of the construction area and road closures marked.

Progress Update on Highway Seven

Progress is being made on the Highway 7 Three Lane project! Existing pavement has been removed where needed, and an embankment has been built along the road in preparation for the third lane.  The area where the new lane will eventually be poured is beginning to take shape along the road, as seen in the photo below.

This photo shows the subgrade, or natural material, that the road will be paved on

Workers have also installed water drainage measures to prevent water from building up under roadways and damaging the pavement. A modified subbase has been laid down. The subbase, shown in the photo below, is made of gravel and allows water to flow out from under the pavement, into the subdrains. Subdrains, which were also installed this week, carry water away from the road.

Workers are expected to be on site next week to begin paving an asphalt base course. This base course provides strength and stability for the road.