County N project a little behind schedule
By Ted Pennekamp
The $3.8 million Famechon Hill Project on County N in Crawford County is an estimated two weeks behind schedule due to damage caused by the heavy rain and flash flooding of Sept. 12, along with other relatively heavy rains in the weeks since.
“The weather has put the project a little behind schedule. The frequency and severity of the rains has both prevented contractors from working as well as required significant amounts of re-work,” said Tim Maedke, Wisconsin Department of Transportation Project Manager. “The original completion schedule was Oct. 31. If weather cooperates we are hoping to have the paving done by that date but there will be shouldering, pavement marking, guardrail, etc., still to do after paving.”
Maedke said his best guess for completion of the project is two weeks beyond the original date.
During a recent Crawford County Highway Department meeting, it was estimated that the rain and flash flooding of Sept. 12 caused $360,000 worth of damage to the project. The state has agreed to pay about $300,000 to help cover the cost of the damage.
During the afternoon and evening of Sept. 12, 7.57 inches of rain fell in the Prairie du Chien area.
The rain also caused the project to be slightly over budget.
“Overall, the project is probably a little over budget,” said Maedke. “The heavy rains in mid-September caused a lot of damage that needed to be repaired.”
Crawford County received a federal grant for $2.98 million for the Famechon Hill Project. The project involves reconstruction of the intersection of Highway 35 and County N and also 1.46 miles of County N going up the hill from Highway 35. The plan consists of reconstruction of multiple substandard geometric features including horizontal curves, vertical curves and steep grades that will be improved. County N will continue to be closed to through-traffic during the construction.