Oconto Falls will tap the “Beer Barrel Polka” for a community celebration signifying the end of street construction in the city.
“Roll out the Barrels, We Have the Construction Blues on the Run” is the theme selected by the Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of state Highway 22 street reconstruction. The orange construction barrels have been visible in the city since late April when construction of the Highland Drive and Chestnut Avenue intersection began.
The 1.6-mile stretch of road from West Highland Drive to East Highland Drive has been under construction since then, and work is scheduled to end Wednesday, Nov. 11, weather permitting. The $3.95 million state Department of Transportation project includes pavement removal and replacement, curb and gutter, sidewalks, storm sewer, street lighting, pavement marking and street signing.
Construction entered its final stage last week, when pavement repair began on North Main Street from Cherry Street to Highland Drive.
“It’s something that’s been needed a long time, to be proud of our city and our streets,” chamber President Gail Yatso said. “I think it will add a lot of safety having sidewalks around the whole city.”
The city has experienced back-to-back years of street work. The streets were torn up in August 2014 for water main and sanitary sewer installation work that extended into December.
Yatso said the ribbon cutting event will be a chance to wrap up two years of construction on a high note.
“I think it’s important to celebrate the end of the hardships the road construction has brought to the businesses of the city that has affected their bottom line,” she said.
The chamber formed the ribbon-cutting committee in May after hearing comments from Dean Hess, the newly hired superintendent of the Oconto Falls School District at his first chamber meeting. He said his initial impression of the city— with its barricades and torn-up streets — prompted him to wonder: “What’s going on?”
He said the completion of a project of this size deserves a celebration.
That got the barrel rolling for the ceremony, which will be followed by an opportunity to walk the “new” Highway 22 from City Hall to the Oconto Falls library, were refreshments will be served. The color scheme for the event will be orange, and people are invited to wear orange.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place outside of City Hall and will feature music and messages from local and state dignitaries, including the DOT. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place indoors.
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