ATC Construction - October 23-30, 2019
Below is the latest on the American Transmission Co.'s project. PLEASE read these communications thoroughly as we are doing our best to communicate the latest traffic restrictions, parking issues, and access restrictions to you in a timely manner. The HTWA staff is meeting weekly with the construction crews as the project is in a very critical path right now.
ALL efforts are being made by the crews to avoid working between the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday period (with the exception of the 400 block of E. Chicago St.).
CHICAGO ST. (200 Block)
Starting TOMORROW, October 24, the HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling, 25' below roadway) segment of the project will shift from Buffalo St. to Chicago St. This segment of work is expected to be wrapped up by November 26.
Traffic
One way traffic will be maintained in the north lane, westbound only during this segment of work.
The south lane will be the work zone and will be barricaded at the midline.
There are no traffic/intersection impacts on Water St. or Broadway.
Sidewalks on both sides of street are OPEN and not obstructed by the roadway work.
Parking will be eliminated on both sides of this section of Chicago during this work segment.
Alley/Garage Access
The alleys and garage entrances on the north side of Chicago will have access maintained. HOWEVER, they will not be able to accommodate semis in or out of those alley driveways.
The alley on the south side of Chicago, between the 191 Broadway Condos and the Cityside Plaza Condos will be barricaded at its north driveway. Access to that alley from the south/Menomonee is maintained.
Access to the Water St./Chicago HTW public parking structure AND private parking entrance WILL be maintained throughout the project.
CHICAGO ST. (400 and 600 blocks)
The 600 block will have only EASTBOUND traffic allowed and no parking on either side of the street from October 28 - November 15. This area will be used to weld pipe sections together for the transmission line in Chicago.
The 400 block will also only have EASTBOUND traffic allowed and no parking on either side of the street from October 28 - December 23. This will be the eastern segment of the HDD process for E. Chicago St.
BUFFALO ST.
The "pull back" of the pipe is occurring today as the project crews insert pipe and pull it through from the 200 block to 400 block of Buffalo. That is a one day process and will be completed sometime tonight.
The 200 block will continue to be restricted until middle of next week when road work repairs are completed. Parking and traffic restrictions will be lifted after those repairs.
The 400 block will continue its traffic and parking restrictions for several more weeks. A new manhole needs to be installed (where the rig currently sits) and subsequent road repair that will follow will keep that area restricted until Thanksgiving week.
JEFFERSON ST. (Buffalo to St. Paul)
The work in and around the substation on Jefferson St. is coming to a close and road repairs on this block are expected to be completed by November 16. Traffic will be back open in both directions at that time.
Please remember short term parking for your customers and clients is always available in our two public parking ramps at Chicago/Water and Chicago/Milwaukee. Rate is $5 for up to 2 hours.
Posted October 23, 2019
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CONSTRUCTION ALERT - JUNEAUTOWN SUBSTATION
The new “Juneautown Substation” (300 block of North Jefferson) will improve the efficiency and reliability of electrical service to power customers east of the Milwaukee River. To support the effort, ATC received Public Service Commission approval to construct a 138-kilovolt underground transmission line to connect to the new substation.
Constructed in two phases, the underground transmission lines will be located under Buffalo and Chicago streets with a portion traveling under the Milwaukee River. Construction on Phase 1 is already underway with Phase 2 scheduled to begin in late fall/early winter. The substation is anticipated to be online by September 2020.
ATC will continue to work with the City of Milwaukee and Historic Third Ward Association on project management and communication regarding disruption of traffic as well as access to private property and parking, particularly during special events in the area. Similar to our efforts during the Milwaukee Streetcar and freeway deck construction projects, we are meeting weekly with ATC’s team and will share information with you as construction progresses.
PHASE 1
The first phase of construction is taking place in the 200 and 300 blocks of N. Jefferson and the 400 blocks of E. Chicago and E. Buffalo. A trench for the new transmission line will be created in the roadways. Traffic will be restricted in at least one direction and parking will be limited throughout the construction zone. The construction will start first on Jefferson south to Buffalo, turning the corner west on Buffalo to the alley; then continuing south on Jefferson and turning the corner west onto Chicago to the mid-block. Some work on will also occur on Plankinton on the west side of the river during this phase. Phase 1 is scheduled to run from mid-July to October 2019.
PHASE 2
Phase 2 construction will work westward toward and under the Milwaukee River on Chicago and Buffalo streets. This phase will include boring underground for the installations of the transmission lines. Please be aware no parking zones, one-way traffic patterns, and construction of the drop shafts in certain areas will still be present as construction proceeds. The timing, sequencing, parking, and traffic patterns for this phase are still being determined. Phase 2 is scheduled to start in Fall 2019 with completion scheduled for Summer 2020.
Posted July 16, 2019