OK.....First, I must apologize for Farwell Drive being such a mess today and virtually unpassable in the 500 block. Let me briefly explain what happened.
Late Thursday afternoon, we learned that KS Energy who is working on the undergrounding of utilities on Farwell, had bored into the sanitary sewer on Farwell. In short, there was so much damage to that line that today, we had to have an emergency repair of that sanitary line. Thursday night, we were able to stabilize the line until morning, but it had to be fixed today. This made the 500 block of Farwell extremely busy with contractors and the road was filled with dirt, machines, and other stuff we dont need to talk about. As I write this shortly after 5p, they are finishing that work and retro fitting a storm line they had to move to fix the sanitary line.
Yet this weekend, I will give a more detailed update on the upper bluff construction. You will want to come back and read that because alot of progress was made this week so that early next week (Monday), we anticipate some curb and driveway work to take place. Come back and get more details this weekend!!!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Farwell to get Pulverized Tomorrow
Farwell Drive is scheduled to get pulverized starting tomorrow (Thursday 7/29). This may be a two day operation.
After the road is pulverized, it will be rolled and left in place. As they begin water main installation, they will remove the top materials for use in other parts of the project.
After the road is pulverized, it will be rolled and left in place. As they begin water main installation, they will remove the top materials for use in other parts of the project.
Day 108 - Day 115
Good Day. I was gone for a long weekend so I need to do some catching up. Here is a day - day summary of the last week:
Wed 7/21: Two pipe crews got alot of work done on both Magdeline. The majority of the water main was installed.
Thur 7/22 & Fri 7/23: Welcome back rain!! On Thursday we had a construction meeting but for themost part, heavy rains made any construction impossible.
The original schedule had completion date in Mid-September. We have granted some extension to that plan due to weather considerations, but we have askd A-1 for a more consistent presence. I think a reasonable completion date would be early October. Also in our construction meeting, we decided that Farwell would be pulverized some time in the next week, anticipating crews being ready to install water main on Farwell fairly soon.
Mon 7/26: One of the pipe crews was working on some storm sewer and unfortunately, the other pipe crew had to chase a leak in a newer valve.
Tues 7/27: Storm sewer work continued on New Castle. The other pipe crew was able to start water main on Summit. They completed a significant portion of Summit from Butternut up towards Farwell. As they were a couple sticks away from Farwell, the hit a deep layer of hard rock. This rock always slows a crew down, but they dug hard and were able to get one more stick in. They should be able to complete summit today. Once complete, they will pressure test, then start the cooking process for the new pipes. Services will then begin.
In the Lower Bluff, landscaping crews made significant progress yesterday. Regarding landscaping, we are seeing fairly rapid grass growth with the hydraseeding process they are using.
Wed 7/28: Work today continues on water main on Summit and the storm sewers. If a crew breaks free, you will likely see some services getting completed as well.
As soon as we get a date specific for Farwell to get pulverized, we will let you know. But, plan that it would be yet this week until we hear different.
Wed 7/21: Two pipe crews got alot of work done on both Magdeline. The majority of the water main was installed.
Thur 7/22 & Fri 7/23: Welcome back rain!! On Thursday we had a construction meeting but for themost part, heavy rains made any construction impossible.
The original schedule had completion date in Mid-September. We have granted some extension to that plan due to weather considerations, but we have askd A-1 for a more consistent presence. I think a reasonable completion date would be early October. Also in our construction meeting, we decided that Farwell would be pulverized some time in the next week, anticipating crews being ready to install water main on Farwell fairly soon.
Mon 7/26: One of the pipe crews was working on some storm sewer and unfortunately, the other pipe crew had to chase a leak in a newer valve.
Tues 7/27: Storm sewer work continued on New Castle. The other pipe crew was able to start water main on Summit. They completed a significant portion of Summit from Butternut up towards Farwell. As they were a couple sticks away from Farwell, the hit a deep layer of hard rock. This rock always slows a crew down, but they dug hard and were able to get one more stick in. They should be able to complete summit today. Once complete, they will pressure test, then start the cooking process for the new pipes. Services will then begin.
In the Lower Bluff, landscaping crews made significant progress yesterday. Regarding landscaping, we are seeing fairly rapid grass growth with the hydraseeding process they are using.
Wed 7/28: Work today continues on water main on Summit and the storm sewers. If a crew breaks free, you will likely see some services getting completed as well.
As soon as we get a date specific for Farwell to get pulverized, we will let you know. But, plan that it would be yet this week until we hear different.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Day 106 (Mon 7/19) & Day 107 (Tue 7/20)
Landscaping work continues in the lower bluff with the primary work taking place on Woodland Circle. The 400 block of Kensington was completed last Friday. The work consists of adding top soil to get the grade back to where it is supposed to be. There is then a process of Hydra-Seeding used which shoots the seed, fertilizer etc into the seeded areas.
In the Upper Bluff, we now have another pipe crew on our work site and this crew has started with water main from Butternut heading up the hill toward Summit. At mid day today, they were about halfway through that block.
The other pipe crew installed the temporary water service line and now today, they have completed a tie in on Magdeline at Butternut and they will start working their way back toward McBride. This installation will be a bit more difficult as the location of the new main crosses the existing main in several locations. This is why they had to install the temporary water delivery system to 6 residences along this corridor.
We have noted that people who have their homes inaccessible are parking on Butternut. Unfortunately, that street is too narrow to allow parking on both sides of the street, so we will be placing temporary 'no parking signs' on the side of Butternut where there is already ...."No Parking"!!!!
Speed-speed-speed--continues to be a problem. This is in the newly constructed area of the lower bluff, but, also in the construction zones of the upper bluff and especially where MG&E crews are working on Farwell. As another reminder, please watch your speed and if you have teenagers, be sure to remind them as well---that is the age group that we seem to be having the most reports about. Thanks.
In the Upper Bluff, we now have another pipe crew on our work site and this crew has started with water main from Butternut heading up the hill toward Summit. At mid day today, they were about halfway through that block.
The other pipe crew installed the temporary water service line and now today, they have completed a tie in on Magdeline at Butternut and they will start working their way back toward McBride. This installation will be a bit more difficult as the location of the new main crosses the existing main in several locations. This is why they had to install the temporary water delivery system to 6 residences along this corridor.
We have noted that people who have their homes inaccessible are parking on Butternut. Unfortunately, that street is too narrow to allow parking on both sides of the street, so we will be placing temporary 'no parking signs' on the side of Butternut where there is already ...."No Parking"!!!!
Speed-speed-speed--continues to be a problem. This is in the newly constructed area of the lower bluff, but, also in the construction zones of the upper bluff and especially where MG&E crews are working on Farwell. As another reminder, please watch your speed and if you have teenagers, be sure to remind them as well---that is the age group that we seem to be having the most reports about. Thanks.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Day 101 (Wed) thru Day 103 (Fri)
A great week of progress!! As of mid day today, let me recap where we are.
Lower Bluff:
Have a good weekend!!!
Lower Bluff:
- Paving Done; this includes many asphalt driveways. The Village may have 1 or 2 left to complete due to some structural issues that we have to deal with in the driveway. If you are doing your own driveway, then you are not completed yet.
- Finish Landscaping. Some start to this but the majority of the work should be done next week.
- New Castle: Road built, some storm work complete, more being done today.
- Charing Cross: Road Built
- McBride: Water main complete. Mains tested and clear. Residential services completed. Road built from Summit to New Castle and now, working from LeRoy up the hill; but they will probably not finish the road building on McBride today. Also on McBride at New Castle, they are installing a rather large storm system box today.
- Magdeline: Pipe crew has started water main installation and is down the street from McBride toward Butternut. That same pipe crew had to pull off to work on residential services and now, putting in storm system. Also on Magdeline, 5 or 6 residences will get a letter today about the change in how they receive their water. That will take place next week.
Have a good weekend!!!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Day 100---Good News for Everyone!!!
Great News.....after a couple of long, hot days surrounded by several hundred degrees of asphalt, everything we wanted to get surface paved in the lower bluff is done. This includes:
Asphalt driveways are tentatively planned to be paved on Thursday of this week. Finish restoration will be occuring within the next week. Our hope is to be completely out of the lower bluff (except for Roxbury) within the next week or two.
UPPER BLUFF
More Good news!! McBride Water main pipe is now completed. Today, the pipe crew began water main installation on Magdeline starting at McBride. So, far, they have gotten half way down the block toward Butternut. The pipe crew will be working on residential services on McBride on Wednesday. So far, they have a clean water sample up to the valve near New Castle and the pipes were pressure tested on McBride north of New Castle today. Also today, a water sample was taken. Assuming we get that test back tomorrow, services will then continue on McBride.
Other Good News: New Castle has been built out with rock. This will make the driving surface much better, though still not the equivalent of pavement, but much better. This also allows them to get the storm pipe installed on New Castle and that was being worked on today.
Charing Cross will start getting rebuilt tomorrow; lets hope for the rain to hold off.
As we sit right now, we may be looking at getting a start on pulverizing Farwell Drive in the next couple weeks. This means that with the progress we are making, and, with another pipe crew tentatively planned to come into the Village next week, we will be looking to get started on Farwell Drive in early August.
- Kensington
- Fisk
- Cambridge
- Woodland Circle
Asphalt driveways are tentatively planned to be paved on Thursday of this week. Finish restoration will be occuring within the next week. Our hope is to be completely out of the lower bluff (except for Roxbury) within the next week or two.
UPPER BLUFF
More Good news!! McBride Water main pipe is now completed. Today, the pipe crew began water main installation on Magdeline starting at McBride. So, far, they have gotten half way down the block toward Butternut. The pipe crew will be working on residential services on McBride on Wednesday. So far, they have a clean water sample up to the valve near New Castle and the pipes were pressure tested on McBride north of New Castle today. Also today, a water sample was taken. Assuming we get that test back tomorrow, services will then continue on McBride.
Other Good News: New Castle has been built out with rock. This will make the driving surface much better, though still not the equivalent of pavement, but much better. This also allows them to get the storm pipe installed on New Castle and that was being worked on today.
Charing Cross will start getting rebuilt tomorrow; lets hope for the rain to hold off.
As we sit right now, we may be looking at getting a start on pulverizing Farwell Drive in the next couple weeks. This means that with the progress we are making, and, with another pipe crew tentatively planned to come into the Village next week, we will be looking to get started on Farwell Drive in early August.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Still Day 99--Just much later!!
Woodland Circle did not get paved today as the contractor ran out of time. Woodland will be completed first thing in the morning tomorrow. After Woodland is done, Kensington will be completed.
Currently, Fisk and Cambridge are closed completely. These two feeder streets towards Kensington will likely stay closed to limit traffic getting to Kensington tomorrow.
How do you leave or enter the Village?? The easiest route may be to take Lakewood straight out. I would plan on coming into the Village the same way. Oxford, before you get to Kensington will be closed completely early tomorrow morning as well.
Again, we appreciate your patience and your consideration of slowing down. Earlier today, I was told by a resident that "cars are flying" down Kensington. Please, slow down.
Currently, Fisk and Cambridge are closed completely. These two feeder streets towards Kensington will likely stay closed to limit traffic getting to Kensington tomorrow.
How do you leave or enter the Village?? The easiest route may be to take Lakewood straight out. I would plan on coming into the Village the same way. Oxford, before you get to Kensington will be closed completely early tomorrow morning as well.
Again, we appreciate your patience and your consideration of slowing down. Earlier today, I was told by a resident that "cars are flying" down Kensington. Please, slow down.
Day 99--MONDAY 7/12 PAVING CHANGE!!!
Good Morning.
Many residents in the lower bluff are anticipating the final layer of pavement for tomorrow. Earlier today, we learned that the paving contractor had a change to their schedule that will allow them to come to Maple Bluff TODAY. So, we anticipate seeing Frank Brothers Contractors in Village some time after lunch. Staff is making their way around the Village and knocking on doors to inform residents of the change.
Because they only have a 1/2 day to work here today, Frank Bros will focus on paving the following streets for today:
Please note that Paving is subject to the weather. If there is rain falling or wetness on the ground, there will be no paving.
We appreciate your patience in the adjustment of the schedule.
Many residents in the lower bluff are anticipating the final layer of pavement for tomorrow. Earlier today, we learned that the paving contractor had a change to their schedule that will allow them to come to Maple Bluff TODAY. So, we anticipate seeing Frank Brothers Contractors in Village some time after lunch. Staff is making their way around the Village and knocking on doors to inform residents of the change.
Because they only have a 1/2 day to work here today, Frank Bros will focus on paving the following streets for today:
- Fisk
- Woodland Circle
- Cambridge
Please note that Paving is subject to the weather. If there is rain falling or wetness on the ground, there will be no paving.
We appreciate your patience in the adjustment of the schedule.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Day 92 (Mon)--Day96 (Fri)
Good Morning.
Though the week started slow for many, with Monday off for the Sunday (4th) holiday, there was still plenty of activity in the Village. Let me recap some of this week and then, get you prepared for the upcoming activities today and next week.
MONDAY: There were no construction crews active in the Village, though a few A-1 representatives were here doing miscellaneous activities.
We did however, have the paving contractor in Village on Monday. As most people in the Lower Bluff now know, we have pavement throughout much of the construction zone except for Roxbury and a small lane on Kensington near Roxbury.
TUESDAY: The A-1 contractor crews were back, but they were slowed by equipment issues and, a substantial rockbed where they needed to dig. Sanitary sewer was being installed on McBride but the work was very slow and tedious.
The road construction crew was slowed by the sloppy conditions, and that lasted for them through Thursday when they were finally able to get to work.
WEDNESDAY: Very little accomplished as the heavy, periodic rains made the work zones difficult to work around.
THURSDAY: Finally, the road construction crew was able to get started yesterday on rebuilding the road on New Castle. They started at the Lakewood instersection and started working west. That work will continue today (Friday). Also, the pipe crew was continuing their sanitary line installation through the heavy rock bed. This makes their work very slow.
FRIDAY: Today, we expect the concrete contractor to be finishing up some miscellaneous sidewalk ramps, curb areas and other re-work, like a driveway apron on Kensington. Road reconstruction will continue on New Castle and pipe installation on McBride.
Let me speak to other general aspects of the construction. First, many in the Upper Bluff have noticed that there are alot of trucks on Farwell. This is the contractor working for MG&E for the undergrounding project. They arrived in the Village this week and have begun their activities. We are expecting this project will take from 4-6 weeks.
Vehicular passage on Farwell has been very narrowed to almost one lane in many spots. We have posted Farwell Drive in this zone as NO PARKING. I would encourage your avoiding the area if possible. Since Lakewood and New Castle has now been rebuilt (not paved--just rebuilt), this can easily serve as another route to the upper bluff. New Castle may not yet be fully completed to handle all traffic, but with good weather, by next week, it should be ready.
We received word yesterday afternoon, that the lower bluff will be getting the final layer of pavement on TUESDAY of next week (7/13). That is great, but we need to prepare for this now. The existing pavement needs to be cleaned off and prepped. This means we can have NO PARKING on the lower bluff streets and, you may need to park away from your home for a period of time. A LETTER IS BEING DELIVERED TO ALL AFFECTED HOMES THIS MORNING!! This letter will give specific details and instructions but please be patient and we get to the finsihing points of this lower bluff project.
We are anticipating another pipe crew coming back into the Village some time next week. A-1 has also been working on a small project in Shorewood Hills and they are about completed with that pipe work so they should be coming back here.
Please slow down in all the construction areas. Even with new pavement, we still have crew working in and near the roadways. In the rougher areas still under construction, driving slower will protect your vehicle more from the potential of damage.
Though the week started slow for many, with Monday off for the Sunday (4th) holiday, there was still plenty of activity in the Village. Let me recap some of this week and then, get you prepared for the upcoming activities today and next week.
MONDAY: There were no construction crews active in the Village, though a few A-1 representatives were here doing miscellaneous activities.
We did however, have the paving contractor in Village on Monday. As most people in the Lower Bluff now know, we have pavement throughout much of the construction zone except for Roxbury and a small lane on Kensington near Roxbury.
TUESDAY: The A-1 contractor crews were back, but they were slowed by equipment issues and, a substantial rockbed where they needed to dig. Sanitary sewer was being installed on McBride but the work was very slow and tedious.
The road construction crew was slowed by the sloppy conditions, and that lasted for them through Thursday when they were finally able to get to work.
WEDNESDAY: Very little accomplished as the heavy, periodic rains made the work zones difficult to work around.
THURSDAY: Finally, the road construction crew was able to get started yesterday on rebuilding the road on New Castle. They started at the Lakewood instersection and started working west. That work will continue today (Friday). Also, the pipe crew was continuing their sanitary line installation through the heavy rock bed. This makes their work very slow.
FRIDAY: Today, we expect the concrete contractor to be finishing up some miscellaneous sidewalk ramps, curb areas and other re-work, like a driveway apron on Kensington. Road reconstruction will continue on New Castle and pipe installation on McBride.
Let me speak to other general aspects of the construction. First, many in the Upper Bluff have noticed that there are alot of trucks on Farwell. This is the contractor working for MG&E for the undergrounding project. They arrived in the Village this week and have begun their activities. We are expecting this project will take from 4-6 weeks.
Vehicular passage on Farwell has been very narrowed to almost one lane in many spots. We have posted Farwell Drive in this zone as NO PARKING. I would encourage your avoiding the area if possible. Since Lakewood and New Castle has now been rebuilt (not paved--just rebuilt), this can easily serve as another route to the upper bluff. New Castle may not yet be fully completed to handle all traffic, but with good weather, by next week, it should be ready.
We received word yesterday afternoon, that the lower bluff will be getting the final layer of pavement on TUESDAY of next week (7/13). That is great, but we need to prepare for this now. The existing pavement needs to be cleaned off and prepped. This means we can have NO PARKING on the lower bluff streets and, you may need to park away from your home for a period of time. A LETTER IS BEING DELIVERED TO ALL AFFECTED HOMES THIS MORNING!! This letter will give specific details and instructions but please be patient and we get to the finsihing points of this lower bluff project.
We are anticipating another pipe crew coming back into the Village some time next week. A-1 has also been working on a small project in Shorewood Hills and they are about completed with that pipe work so they should be coming back here.
Please slow down in all the construction areas. Even with new pavement, we still have crew working in and near the roadways. In the rougher areas still under construction, driving slower will protect your vehicle more from the potential of damage.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Day 82 (Fri) Thru Day 91 (Sun Jul 4th)
Happy 4th of July! I hope many of you enjoyed the Fest on the 4th activities today!! Unfortunately, the heavy wind, causing big waves on the lake today, made the Village Fireworks display unable to take place. A new date will be identified soon.
The same weather system may cause some problems in the early part of the week for our construction. Lets recap where we are heading this week.
Lower Bluff: Wow.....yes, the day has arrived!! We are scheduled to have the majority of the construction zone in the lower bluff paved (Binder) starting on Monday. Roxbury is not quite ready yet but Kensington, Cambridge, Fisk, and Woodland Circle will be get completed if weather permits.
Please note that there are 2 layers of pavement--the first layer (binder) and then the final layer. Tentatively, the final layer would be scheduled for week of 7/13. After the first layer is completed, the landscaping restoration will then take place. When the asphalt is put down, it just needs to be rolled to be made ready to be driven on by automobiles. There should not be any extended period of time that you can not drive on the newly paved road.
Also in the lower bluff, additional prep work will be taking place in the Roxbury corridor and although we are not anticipating getting the asphalt down on Roxbury, with an unplanned delay, maybe it can get done.
Upper Bluff: New Castle and Charing Cross are ready to get rebuilt; we hope to have the road crew free and working on that rebuild by the middle of this week.
Water Main installation will continue on McBride. The connection was made at the McBride/Summit intersection and main installation was almost near the New Castle intersection mid afternoon on Friday.
Hopefully, the weather treats us well this week and the paving contractor works with no delays.
The same weather system may cause some problems in the early part of the week for our construction. Lets recap where we are heading this week.
Lower Bluff: Wow.....yes, the day has arrived!! We are scheduled to have the majority of the construction zone in the lower bluff paved (Binder) starting on Monday. Roxbury is not quite ready yet but Kensington, Cambridge, Fisk, and Woodland Circle will be get completed if weather permits.
Please note that there are 2 layers of pavement--the first layer (binder) and then the final layer. Tentatively, the final layer would be scheduled for week of 7/13. After the first layer is completed, the landscaping restoration will then take place. When the asphalt is put down, it just needs to be rolled to be made ready to be driven on by automobiles. There should not be any extended period of time that you can not drive on the newly paved road.
Also in the lower bluff, additional prep work will be taking place in the Roxbury corridor and although we are not anticipating getting the asphalt down on Roxbury, with an unplanned delay, maybe it can get done.
Upper Bluff: New Castle and Charing Cross are ready to get rebuilt; we hope to have the road crew free and working on that rebuild by the middle of this week.
Water Main installation will continue on McBride. The connection was made at the McBride/Summit intersection and main installation was almost near the New Castle intersection mid afternoon on Friday.
Hopefully, the weather treats us well this week and the paving contractor works with no delays.
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