Chicago, Lincoln, Oak, Peninsula 2020 Road Reconstruction and Water Main Extension

June 23, 2020

Road Reconstruction Project

The City of Pewaukee is proposing to reconstruct Chicago Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Oak Street, and Peninsula Drive.  Chicago Avenue is currently rated a 5 out of 10 in our Paser Road Rating System (10 is newly constructed, 1 is in need of reconstruction).  Lincoln Avenue is rated a 3 out of 10.  Oak Street is rated a 3 out of 10 from Rocky Point Road to Woodland Drive and a 4 out of 10 from Woodland Drive to Prospect Avenue (CTH SS).  Peninsula Drive is rated a 3 out of 10.  

It should be noted that several of these streets were repaved in 1998 with the final assessment being levied in 1999.  This was a resurfacing project.  Our assessment policy allows for a credit in the assessment if a road fails to meet its expected life of 20 years.  Given the final levy was in 1999 and 20 years later is 2019, these roads do not meet the criteria for a credit through our policy.

Soil borings in the area revealed that the roadways subgrade (the ground that supports the base structure of the roadway) is not the best for supporting a roadway and there are areas of high groundwater (expected this close to the lake).  To that end, we are adding some additional stabilization within the road profile and undercutting areas of bad soil profiles to properly support the roadway.  In addition, we are utilizing compacted stone backfill in the water main and water service trenches which will help stabilize the roadway.  The poor subgrade and high groundwater conditions supports the deterioration we see in the current roadway.  

We have added curb along the east side of Rocky Point Road to address a storm water runoff issue from the west side properties.  The runoff runs across Rocky Point Road through the properties on the east side of Rocky Point Road causing erosion and some property damage to those properties.  We have added the curb to intercept the flow and convey it north to an existing inlet which ultimately discharges to Pewaukee Lake.  

Curb is also being added to the north side of Oak Street from Rocky Point Road to Lincoln Avenue.  The road cross section in this area is being regraded to flow to the north (i.e. the roadway will be tipped to drain all to the north).  This addresses a drainage and erosion issue along this section of Oak Street due to its steep slopes and the narrowness of the roadway.  This water will discharge to an existing inlet which ultimately discharges to Pewaukee Lake.  

The final section of curb is being added on Oak Street from Prospect Avenue (CTH SS) north almost to the curve north of Woodland Drive.  This section of curb is being placed to address the erosion due to the steep slope of the roadway, replace an existing asphalt ditch/curb section, and to match the west side.  Additional inlets are being added to the area and will ultimately discharge to Pewaukee Lake.

Water Main Extension Project

The water main is being proposed in this area for many reasons.  The area currently is served by Lake Pewaukee Sanitary District (LPSD) sewer.  Since the roads are being constructed, it is prudent to determine if municipal water should be extended prior to the road project.  Municipal water is near this project at the intersection of Oak Street and Woodland Drive and again in Chicago Avenue just north of Chicory Lane.  Extending the water will loop two minor dead end main lines in the area.  

As this project has been in and out of the budget for the last 4-5 years, staff has had many conversations with residents in the area regarding their wells.  We have had reports of poor quality wells, issues with obtaining safe samples, and residents drinking only bottled water.  Given these concerns, we felt it was prudent to pursue a water main extension in the area.

Finally, staff has concerns with fire protection in the area.  Currently, the only way our Fire Department has the means to fight fires in this area is by using pumper trucks and shuttling water to the area.  We have 1 pumper truck as part of our equipment.  Additional pumper trucks would need to be called in on mutual aid in order to fight a fire in this area.  The mobilization of those trucks takes time.  The area has redeveloped from small, one story, summer cottages to larger, year round, 2 and 3 story homes.  Larger homes on small lots means that there is not a lot of room between the homes and many variances were granted from our code setbacks.  All of these issues raise concerns for fire protection in the area leading us to another reason why municipal water should be extended to the area.  

Given all the above, we have bid the road reconstruction of Chicago Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Oak Street, and Peninsula Drive.  The total lowest qualified bid is $2,298,984.50 from Soper Excavating & Grading LLC.  The project costs are allocated in accordance with the City’s assessment policies.  The road reconstruction is 100% assessed.  Roadway assessments yield a value of $14,983.39 per unit which is capped at $2,684 per unit for residential property per the assessment policy.  The curb extensions are 50% assessed and 50% paid out of the Storm Water Utility.  The curb assessment is $3,289.13 per unit which is capped at $2,684 per unit for residential property per the assessment policy.  The water main extension is 100% assessed.  The water main (the main line pipe in the roadway) is assessed at $10,753.68 per unit (NOTE: this is a revised number from what was sent out when an error was discovered and corrected).  The water service (the service from the main line to the property line) is assessed at $4,104.46 each service (NOTE: this is a revised number from what was sent out when an error was discovered and corrected). All costs associated with the drainage, culverts, storm sewer, inlets, and 50% of the curb costs are paid by the Storm Water Utility.  All costs associated with the sanitary sewer will be paid for by LPSD.  

Road assessments are due and payable at the time of sale, rezoning, land division, or by October 31st of the year of the final assessment levy (anticipated to be 2021) and may be paid over 10 years with interest accruing on the outstanding balance.  

Water main and service assessments are due and payable at the time of connection, sale, rezoning, land division, or expiration of a 5-year deferment.  These may be paid over 10 years with interest accruing on the outstanding balance.  Connection to the system in required in 15 years.  The existing wells must be abandoned at the time of connection.

The public hearing related to this project will be held on June 25, 2020 at 6 P.M. in the Lake Country Ballroom at the Ingleside Hotel located at 2810 Golf Road, Pewaukee, WI 53072.  This meeting is also being held virtually.  If you prefer to attend virtually, please contact our office at (262) 691-0804.