by Joseph Back

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation would like your input on a road project scheduled for Cemetery Road in River Falls, from South Main Street to Wisconsin 65. In order to help slow the spread of COVID-19, these plans are being made available for public comment online at https://wisconsindot.gov/. Those wishing to view the plans now under review can click “projects and studies,” followed by “Highway projects and studies” in the dropdown bar. From there one should choose the “Northwest” region of the state and look under Pierce County, with another project slated for Prescott now under review as well. The River Falls project is a part of this larger project.

Specific to River Falls, the project now up for review and scheduled for construction as early as 2021 would include the milling and overlay of existing pavement as this is showing signs of deterioration, along with the modification of Emory Circle to allow only right turns where it joins to Cemetery Road, and modifying roundabout geometry by widening the radius in the southwest corner of the roundabout on South Wasson Lane to better accommodate trucks. Additionally, the River Falls phase of the project would address guardrail deficiencies and seek to upgrade curb ramp, as well as mark the pavement and do signing on a limited basis.

Taken more broadly, the larger Pierce County project would extend from just below Hilton Street in Prescott, to QQ on Highway 29, and from there to River Falls, also on 29. The Cemetery Road project in River Falls could be delayed, but the deadline for commenting is July 10—so don’t procrastinate! Tell the State DOT what you think about the plans. Once again, more information is available at https://wisconsindot.gov/, and comments can be submitted to Mohamad Hayek of the Wisconsin Department – Northwest Division, with contact details listed on the website, under the Northwest Division.