MONROE - About 114 residents have signed a petition opposing widening 8th and 9th streets, which is due to begin in April.
The petition was delivered to the City of Monroe Board of Public Works just prior to its meeting Monday.
Alderman Jan Lefevre said she was asked by a resident of Ward 9 to make the delivery, but added that she was not involved with the petition drive and had not known about it. Lefevre declined to say who organized and circulated the petition.
The petition was then given to Keith Ingwell, board president.
Of the more than 100 signatures, at least 23 people live or own property along the project route.
The signatures were collected between Aug. 6 and Oct. 24, 2009.
The petition said that the residents who signed it recognize the need to improve the infrastructure, water and sewer. However, widening the road "is not necessary" and takes away property to do so.
"This destroys valuable land and trees," and lowers property value. "There is not enough busy traffic most of the day to warrant this (widening)," the petition states.
The street is to be widened by about four feet on each side.
Bids have already been sent out for the water and sewer replacement project, according to City Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber. That portion of the project is expected to begin in March.
Construction for widening 8th and 9th streets is expected to begin in late April. The city wants both portions finished in time for Cheese Days in September.
The city has a grant to cover about 80 percent of the costs of widening the street. The grant is based on the state's recommendation the land be acquired and the street widened for public safety.
Common Council authorized the go-ahead for reconstruction, starting with property acquisition along the construction route Jan. 5, 2009.
On June 2, 2009, Common Council passed a resolution approving a relocation order and plat for the 8th and 9th streets project. The order and plat shows each parcel of land along 8th and 9th streets to be acquired. The orders and plat had to be approved by council and filed with the county clerk before land could be purchased.
Council approved the last parcel acquisitions Dec. 15.
The entire project, including water and sewer replacement and street widening, is estimated to cost about $4.5 million. Covering the costs of $125,000 for replacing water lines and $350,000 for replacing sewer lines will come from the water and wastewater utilities' budgets.
The city began planning the project in April 2003. The original cost for the project was estimated at $2.5 million.
The original project was stalled between June 2006 and November 2008, trouble with a historical site right of way halted the project. Also, preservation of historical and environmental aspects of the plan had to be reviewed and the project approved before grant money could be issued.
Board members determined to do the project because the stretch of road lies over some of the city's oldest water and sewer lines. An increasing number of repairs to the lines were an indication that replacement was needed.
Engineering plans for the project are on display in the Common Council chamber at City Hall.
Members of the Board of Public Works set a special meeting for 4:30 p.m. Monday, to discuss aspects of the 8th and 9th streets reconstruction project. The meeting is open to the public.
The petition was delivered to the City of Monroe Board of Public Works just prior to its meeting Monday.
Alderman Jan Lefevre said she was asked by a resident of Ward 9 to make the delivery, but added that she was not involved with the petition drive and had not known about it. Lefevre declined to say who organized and circulated the petition.
The petition was then given to Keith Ingwell, board president.
Of the more than 100 signatures, at least 23 people live or own property along the project route.
The signatures were collected between Aug. 6 and Oct. 24, 2009.
The petition said that the residents who signed it recognize the need to improve the infrastructure, water and sewer. However, widening the road "is not necessary" and takes away property to do so.
"This destroys valuable land and trees," and lowers property value. "There is not enough busy traffic most of the day to warrant this (widening)," the petition states.
The street is to be widened by about four feet on each side.
Bids have already been sent out for the water and sewer replacement project, according to City Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber. That portion of the project is expected to begin in March.
Construction for widening 8th and 9th streets is expected to begin in late April. The city wants both portions finished in time for Cheese Days in September.
The city has a grant to cover about 80 percent of the costs of widening the street. The grant is based on the state's recommendation the land be acquired and the street widened for public safety.
Common Council authorized the go-ahead for reconstruction, starting with property acquisition along the construction route Jan. 5, 2009.
On June 2, 2009, Common Council passed a resolution approving a relocation order and plat for the 8th and 9th streets project. The order and plat shows each parcel of land along 8th and 9th streets to be acquired. The orders and plat had to be approved by council and filed with the county clerk before land could be purchased.
Council approved the last parcel acquisitions Dec. 15.
The entire project, including water and sewer replacement and street widening, is estimated to cost about $4.5 million. Covering the costs of $125,000 for replacing water lines and $350,000 for replacing sewer lines will come from the water and wastewater utilities' budgets.
The city began planning the project in April 2003. The original cost for the project was estimated at $2.5 million.
The original project was stalled between June 2006 and November 2008, trouble with a historical site right of way halted the project. Also, preservation of historical and environmental aspects of the plan had to be reviewed and the project approved before grant money could be issued.
Board members determined to do the project because the stretch of road lies over some of the city's oldest water and sewer lines. An increasing number of repairs to the lines were an indication that replacement was needed.
Engineering plans for the project are on display in the Common Council chamber at City Hall.
Members of the Board of Public Works set a special meeting for 4:30 p.m. Monday, to discuss aspects of the 8th and 9th streets reconstruction project. The meeting is open to the public.