Mere idea of third railroad track could stall 2018 Marquette Road project again

By Correne Martin

Reconstruction of Marquette Road, from Mooney Street to La Pointe Street, in Prairie du Chien, is on schedule for 2018. The project, which was originally scheduled for 2017, flip-flopped years several times due to the question of state funding. However, as the construction season begins, it appears 2018 is the plan.

While the Department of Transportation’s plans include the road and storm sewer, part of the city’s responsibility is to determine Community Sensitive Design (CSD) amenities, which aesthetically dress up the roadway. The DOT will reimburse the city 100 percent for its CSD expenses that include a 10-foot asphalt trail, 5-foot chain-link fence alongside the railroad tracks, and trees, among other items. The proposed designs were submitted to the DOT in August 2016, by the city’s engineer, Vierbicher Associates.

Matt Muchow, of Vierbicher, spoke at Tuesday night’s Prairie du Chien Common Council meeting and briefly mentioned a new issue that could potentially hold up the project again.

“The railroad was not agreeable to the (August) plan. They wanted room between Mooney and Parrish to allow for a third track,” Muchow stated.

The council did not seem shocked by the idea of a third track. In fact, former City Administrator Aaron Kramer alluded to it before he left the city last month. Alderman Ron Leys shared his opinion of disbelief Tuesday night: “I’m skeptical they’re ever going to put a third track in there because the bottleneck is going to be at the switch.”

Muchow said the DOT had planned to extend the asphalt trail up to the proposed chain-link fence, to allow the city less hassle in mowing there; however, the DOT is presently concerned the railroad company wants the 10-foot trail deduced to a 5-foot sidewalk. And, the amount of right-of-way the DOT assumed happens to be less than originally thought, meaning the railroad has more right-of-way, he said.

“The DOT is concerned, if the railroad doesn’t concede to this, the project might get delayed,” Muchow added.

The council will be updated as this matter progresses.

Upon Alderman Nate Gilberts’ recommendation, the council directed Muchow to talk to the DOT about using at least a portion of the existing fence instead of tearing it out and putting in new. This could be a cost-saving move for the project or the funds could simply be redirected toward additional design desires.

Consumer confidence water report
Water Superintendent Larry Gates informed the council that the water department’s 2016 consumer confidence report would be published in the Courier Press and that copies would also be available at city hall.

Leys asked him about one line item, regarding lead levels, from the report. He said he noticed that, among 20 water pipe samples, one turned up with having lead in it. He wondered if a greater number of samples should be taken, due to the seriousness of potential lead poisoning.

Gates said the one sample came from within a homeowner’s household piping and that the homeowner has been informed of the potential dangers lead in water can cause. He also pointed out that, last year, a surplus of samples, checking for lead, were taken by the city because of the growing lead concerns nationwide. He added that Prairie du Chien is due for another 20 samples this summer.

Other business
•Water Well Solutions Service Group was hired for $21,200 to perform well capping services for the Prairie du Chien Public Library’s well. The council approved a professional services agreement. The normal bidding/request for proposal requirement for such services was waived in this case since such specific experience, knowledge and skills are necessary to perform the capping and to coordinate with the DNR.

“We had trouble getting even two contractors to talk to us about this project,” City Planner Garth Frable told the council.

•Mayor Dave Hemmer notified the council that Bridgeport has officially withdrawn its application to incorporate into a village, at this time.  

•The council approved of participating in the Smart Ash Reuse and Replacement Program of the Southwest Badger Resource Conservation and Development Council. City Parks and Recreation Director Mike Ulrich said participation is at no cost to the city. Southwest Badger essentially plans to take an inventory of the 393 ash trees located in city parks and public lands.

“Right now, we do treat about 30 ash trees in the city,” Ulrich said. “The last inventory was done in 2011. This would give us an updated status on where trees might need to be taken down and what we could do with them.”

•Two vans were recently purchased to add to the Coulee Cab fleet, so the council voted to use the Wisconsin Surplus Online Auction service to sell the two city cabs with the most mileage. Frable said the money from the sale will be allocated back into the city transit system.