APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Change is coming to Appleton’s College Avenue next week.
Starting Monday, July 10, construction will begin on the College Avenue Lane Reconfiguration Project, known as Smart Streets Appleton.
City officials say the new roadway will improve safety and access, but downtown business owners have mixed reactions.
Portable message boards have taken over the streets of downtown Appleton, alerting the public about the construction project beginning Monday.
“It has features to accommodate all users of the roadway,” said Danielle Block, Appleton’s Director of Public Works. “So we’re looking at enhancing safety, mobility and just livability along the corridor.”
During construction, College Avenue will remain open however traffic will be redirected to one lane in each direction, specifically from Drew Street to Memorial Drive/Richmond Street. Cross streets will remain open as usual, and on-street parking will be available.
The new roadway will feature two travel lanes, a center turn lane, dedicated bike lanes, and no loss of parking.
“The contractor will be mainly working during the day, removal of the existing pavement striping and then putting new pavement striping back down,” said Block.
The city council approved the changes in April.
Block says the $72,000 project will enhance the outdoor experience, support local businesses, and create a more welcoming downtown area.
“So paying attention to the users that are on foot, users that are scooters, on bicycles, along with the motorists that continue to travel the corridor are very important to the economic vibrancy of the downtown,” said Block.
But not all downtown business agree with the move.
“Driving down here already with four lanes it’s ridiculous so it’s like I can only imagine how backed up everything’s going to be and unless they’re going to take out stoplights, it’s going to be tough,” said Jakob Monroe, a sales associate at DVSN 1.
DVSN 1 is a clothing store on College Avenue. Monroe says he’s concerned about customers not wanting to come in because of the construction, and even after the road gets restriped.
“People aren’t going to want to come down here because it’s going to be too difficult to navigate, I don’t know I might be overshooting how much of an issue it’s going to be, but you know, I think it’s going to be annoying for people to get down here,” said Monroe.
“I’m going to give it a try and see how it goes,” said Kara Manuel, owner of Lillians in Appleton. “It’s going to make downtown a little bit more walkable and I think that’s great.”
Lillians of Appleton is a clothing store neighbors with DVSN 1. Manuel says she’s open to change.
“It’ll put the bikes out on the street in their little bike lane, it’ll just be better but we just got to get used to it and embrace the change a little bit,” said Manuel.
Construction is expected to be complete by mid-July, weather permitting.
For more information about Smart Streets Appleton, click here.
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