Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Friday, August 08, 2008
Work on Bliss Road to begin today
A year after major flooding ripped through the region destroying homes, streets and bridges, La Crosse’s Bliss Road is under construction.
About $2.05 million in stabilization and resurfacing work on the road to Grandad Bluff begins today.
“The initial work will include removing guard rails and cutting down brush and trees in all areas where repairs are to be made,” Tony Hutchens, assistant director of La Crosse Public Works, said in a release.
Construction is expected to last through mid-November.
Hutchens noted that the construction and removal of guardrails along the road’s steep slopes will make the road unsafe for all users.
“Portions of the existing pavement will be removed, leaving deep holes with no through access,” he said.
Bliss Road was closed to vehicles in late June 2007 and again in July after portions of the road were undercut by erosion and water.
It further deteriorated under heavy rains in late August 2007.
The city council voted in February to mend the crumbling road for about $1.8 million. Public works officials anticipated state and federal aid would account for all but $583,000.
In early July the county agreed to eat an additional $50,000 to $70,000 in repair costs when bids came in $250,000 over budget, and with contingencies, the shortfall neared a half-million dollars, Hutchens said.
Samantha Marcus can be reached at (608) 791-8220. or smarcus@lacrossetribune.com.
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