Construction underway on Electric Avenue

Construction on the latest portion of the Bigfork Stormwater Project began this week, but before work crews from Neumann Construction Company were allowed to break ground on Electric Avenue, the contractor met with members of the public last week to answer questions and address concerns.

Chief among them: the loss of downtown parking spaces during the construction period, which is currently projected to last 45 days, ending on Nov. 1.

“That doesn’t guarantee we’ll be completely finished by November 1 if we go through two solid weeks of hard rain,” said Brett Walcheck of 48 North Civil Engineering Services.

Until construction is completed, there will be no parking on either side of the portion of Electric Avenue stretching from Grand Drive to River Street, as the contractor plans to utilize the edges of the roadway to maintain two-way traffic flow.

“They are going to move traffic over during their work period,” Walcheck said. “The objective is to maintain two lanes of traffic.”

This round of construction — which includes two phases of the stormwater project — involves the installation of catch basins and approximately 330 feet of conveyance pipes underneath the roadway. Additionally, a water treatment unit and approximately 50 feet of conveyance pipes will be installed at the west end of the River Street alley, near the existing River Street outfall.

According to Kevin Neumann of Neumann Construction, there will be at least one complete road closure during the work period.

“We’ll do our best to limit it to one day,” Neumann said. “We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone, and we’re going to try to get here really early in the morning (when we have to close the road).”

Sidewalks within the work zone will remain open to pedestrian traffic throughout the construction period. Neumann plans to place snow fences around the perimeter of the construction area to prevent people from wandering into a dangerous situation.

At the request of downtown business owners, the contractor will display signs notifying potential customers that local businesses are open despite the disruption.

Walcheck urged anyone with concerns to contact him at 756-4848, Neumann at 756-0514 or Bigfork Stormwater Advisory Committee chairman Sue Hanson at 837-5323.