Bangor street project nears completion

It has been a long summer and early fall for the residents in the Village of Bangor as its six-month street project nears completion.  

The new streets, curb and gutter are the most noticeable portion of the extensive project, but the work also includes new water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer.

The project consisted of the reconstruction of Commercial Street from Pearl Street east to 10th Avenue and south on 10th Avenue to the interstate bridge.

La Crosse County approached the village stating that Bangor’s main drag needed to be fixed. The Village Board agreed an update was necessary as the street hadn’t been redone since the mid 1980s.

Not only was the road heavily worn, but the infrastructure beneath the street was around 85 to 90 years old and in need of replacing.

Once the village assumed ownership of the street from La Crosse County, it was eligible to receive $2,005,575 for road improvement costs along with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-Close.) 

Instead of an 80,000-pound rated street, engineers designed a 120,000-pound rated street to withstand truck traffic better. According to Althoff, village officials wanted to spend more money up front because heavy truck traffic tends to wreck streets and this concrete is expected to last longer.   

Curb and gutter as well as a sidewalk were added to 10th Avenue, which was also widened between Meadow View Street and Bangor Street. 

The Bangor School District completed their own construction project with new sidewalks on school grounds to tie into the new and improved street. 

“Most of our village residents have been cooperative and understanding with the detours, and without a doubt, they will be happy when it’s completed and with the results,” said Village President Gary Althoff. 

Historic street lights will be installed in the business district in the near future, along with a new paved parking lot at the site of the former Hansen Feed Mill, which was torn down during the street project.  

The engineering firm of MSA in Baraboo designed the project while the general contractor for the $5.24 million project was Gerke Excavating out of Tomah.

Blacktop paving was done by Mathy Construction out of Sparta and the concrete street portion, curb, gutter, and sidewalks are being completed by Augelli Concrete Excavation and Chippewa Concrete Service.

“It’s been a long project,” Althoff said. “But thanks to the professional contribution of our contractors and our village staff, we have a project that will benefit our village for many, many years.”