Marquette Road road is open
Attending the ribbon cutting were Paul Ginkel, Dave Hemmer, Nate Bremmer, Allie Thornton, Nate Gilberts, Roy George, Aaron Palmer, Bob Sutton, Jennifer Shilling, Nick Brey, Kevin Mulrooney, Lee Nerison, Bob Standorf, Loren Oldenburg, Brooke Mitchell, J.J. Jackson, Lou Davis, Ken Mitchell, Jeff Bowar, Ron Overlien, Patrick Nagovan, Tom Nelson, an unknown well-wisher, Cathie Nelson and Bob Moses. (Photos by Correne Martin)
Interim City Administrator Chad Abram waves to the first vehicle that passes onto the newly-opened Marquette Road Friday. Standing in the background are DOT project leader Nick Brey (left) and Ron Overlein, from Gerke Excavating, the project's general contractor.
The first few vehicles buzz down the new section of Highway 35 in Prairie du Chien.
Mayor Dave Hemmer (left) shared his gratitude for all the hard work and sacrifices put in for this project. Also pictured are chamber, city and business representatives Kevin Mulrooney, Paul Ginkel, Roy George and Nate Bremmer.
By Correne Martin
It was a long spring, summer and fall in Prairie du Chien, with Marquette Road/Highway 35 construction making travel difficult and giving businesses a challenge, from April 2 through Nov. 30. Yet, the new highway is finally open and traffic can proceed with a better flow now.
At the official ribbon cutting Friday afternoon at the intersection of La Pointe Street and Marquette, about two dozen city, chamber, business and legislative dignitaries gathered for a short ceremony and ribbon cutting. Then, barricades were removed and the small crowd cheered as the first vehicles passed onto the new roadway.
“Prairie du Chien has made significant investments in its vision and its future. This completes a series of constant projects in the works,” Sen. Jennifer Shilling said. “I do recognize, with any project, there are sacrifices that are made. Businesses struggle. Neighborhood and alley entrances are used. It was a wet summer and fall. But this improvement is a welcome to visitors that Prairie du Chien is a destination.” She added her belief that this community will continue to prosper.
Retiring Assemblyman Lee Nerison also commented on the three-phase project, which stretched from Mooney Street to La Pointe. “I think the city can be proud of how it handled this project,” he stated.
The three phases included 1) Mooney to Wells Street, 2) Wells to Campion Street, and 3) Campion to La Pointe.
According to Ron Overlein, of general contractor Gerke Excavating, crews will return in the spring to complete paving of the multi-use path on the third phase. It was mentioned that pavement would not set in the current cold temperatures. Until then, sidewalk closed signs will remain up in some areas.
Mayor Dave Hemmer acknowledged many of the men and women who worked hard on this project.
