The reconstruction of East Grand Avenue transformed the project corridor into a gateway to downtown Wisconsin Rapids by enhancing mobility for vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian modes of travel. The existing facility had two eastbound travel lanes and one westbound travel lane, on-street parking and sidewalk on both sides, but no bicycle accommodations. The 0.5-mile project included:

  • Elimination of the second eastbound travel lane, which was not required for efficient traffic operations.
  • Incorporation of on-street bicycle lanes.
  • Increased terrace widths.
  • Replacement of the signalized intersection at Jackson Street with an all-way stop-controlled intersection.
  • Curb bump-outs and colored concrete crosswalks at intersections to shorten pedestrian crossing lengths and enhance visibility and awareness of pedestrians.

The project team was presented with an Excellence in Highway Design – Best Local Program Design award at the American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2020 Transportation Improvement Conference on March 4, 2020, in Baraboo, Wisconsin.