Road work ahead, MWC file photo.
STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU-WAOW) Stevens Point is changing the way they deal with major road projects.
The city council now approving projects of more than 15 million dollars instead of the one million benchmark set two years ago.
“We have an idea of what we want to do, but when you have to put a cost on it, that becomes challenging because the cost varies so much,” said Mayor of Stevens Point, Mike Wiza.
It’s been over ten years wondering what can be done with Business 51 in Stevens Point. “Council chose last night to make the amount $15 million as opposed to $1 million,” said Wiza. “Some may think that’s okay, but I pointed and the director pointed out that even at $15 million, the three different phases of Business 51 would be under that in all likelihood.” That’s because the near $50 million project would be split up into three phases to fall under that threshold.
The North, South, and central of Business 51 is stretched out about a mile per piece.
This ordinance gives them the green light to move forward on the project. “The original intent to that referendum to have a vote on Business 51 isn’t going to happen,” said Wiza. “It may require a vote later down the road, but the council also has the ability to change that ordinance number at any time.”
All lights point towards green on the Business 51 project, and the city wants to make sure they’re doing the most for their citizens. “If we want to rebuild a road, we want to make as many safety improvements as we can because it’s a road that we’re going to be living with for at least 50 years,” said Wiza.
For citizens wanting more information on this project, Wiza says to reach out to your local alderperson.
Money will start pouring into the Business 51 project this year, but Wiza says construction likely won’t begin until 2026 or later.
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