Tess Corners Rec Path Faces Final Decision

Residents will find out whether the will go on as planned, change or have to wait until next year on Tuesday night.

A last-minute push for the city to reconsider the inclusion of a recreational path along the route from Woods Road to Janesville Road had prompted a review of alternatives for the path, including narrowing it, moving it, or removing it altogether.

The Common Council will meet at 7 p.m. to decide the matter as any changes to the plans will set the project back, but city officials are hoping to keep the project on schedule for a 2012 completion. Should the council opt for an on-road extension of the shoulder to accommodate bike and pedestrian traffic, however, the redesign will likely push the road project into 2013.

The council will also vote on approval to move forward with a bid of $1.2 million for the Pioneer Drive reconstruction to LaLonde Contractors. The project is slated to begin in June and be completed by fall.

Along with the construction, the council will consider approval to authorize the installation ofand the levying of special assessments for Pioneer Drive. The city had budgeted for water main installation along the entire route, but residents along the southern half of the route had responded to the city with a thumbs down on the idea, bringing the project in well under the $2.5 million estimate.

The l will also begin construction, and the council willl consider approval of the construction management contract to Graef USA. The construction of this project is scheduled to start just after the end of school in June to be completed by the time school starts in September.