Clintonville project to last about six weeks

By Bert Lehman

Maintenance repairs to the bridge on Hemlock Street in Clintonville began on April 6.

Clintonville Public Works Director Toby Kersten told the Clintonville Tribune-Gazette that the work being done to the bridge is what the Clintonville City Council had approved late in 2015.

“It takes quite awhile to get some of the components,” Kersten said. “They are actually in now.”

Kersten said the bridge railings and beams and bearings under the structure are being repaired, as well as the compression seal on the north end of the bridge. The expansion device on the south end of the bridge will be removed and replaced.

The project will take around six weeks, depending on weather, Kersten said. Cold temperatures could have an impact on the project. Kersten said cold temperatures in the beginning stages of the project won’t slow the project because that is when jack hammering and saw cutting takes place.

Kersten said a new sidewalk will be installed as well as a few feet of curb and gutter at the approach of the bridge.

“When they’re all done with the bridge and the cement work, then we’ll have to replace the asphalt that was damaged,” Kersten said.

The work is being done by Pheifer Brothers Construction of Neenah, the same company that did the Main Street bridge replacement last summer. Pheifer Brothers submitted the lowest bid in October, which was for $159,000.

“This is recommended maintenance coming from our bridge inspection report,” Kersten said. “Hopefully with doing this maintenance we can get some extra years out of the life of the bridge.”