Monroe Avenue Reconstruction, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Monroe Avenue carries portions of STH 29, STH 54 and STH 57 as a principal arterial on the National Highway System. It has an average daily traffic volume of over 12,700 vehicles, including over 660 trucks per day in a commercial and residential area. The existing 4-lane roadway was constructed in 1948 with a 46’ clear width including narrow outside lanes which had never been resurfaced. The main purpose of the project was to replace the deteriorating concrete pavement, replace sewer and water facilities that had reached their service life, and to improve drainage. The proposed improvement incorporated a typical 52’ clear width with 4 travel lanes and on street bicycle accommodations.

Constructing portions of the project in stages to maintain traffic to local businesses, schools and residences created significant challenges to complete the project in a timely manner while minimizing the inconvenience to the traveling public. Vinton Construction is well known in Wisconsin for their excellent project coordination, and their extraordinary efforts on the Monroe Avenue project was a key component of the project success. The project was originally designed in two phases however the short time frames and complexity of the work prompted Vinton to develop a phasing plan that consisted of 5 different mobilizations. This allowed them to schedule, coordinate, and sequence concurrent controlling work operations while meeting the requirement to maintain local vehicular and pedestrian access to the businesses within the construction zone while. Two gas stations on the project required coordination for access of fuel deliveries. A post office and the Brown County Central Library were located on the project that required coordination for safe and uninterrupted access. Two schools along the corridor required coordination to provide safe access for children, parents, and busses during school sessions. Similarly, there were four churches and funeral homes along the corridor that generated concentrated volumes of traffic needing coordination for safe access. Vinton Construction scheduled work to maintain pedestrian access on a hard surface via either the west or east sidewalk at all times. Colored concrete cross walks were poured at several major intersections throughout the corridor. The colored cross walks required staging to allow for continuous pedestrian movements, as well as construction traffic. The project called for 15 concrete pavement gaps but Vinton was able to reduce the actual gaps to two with one on one coordination with businesses and staging efforts. This project also required the use 51 miles of detour rerouting for three State Highway routes. Due to the minimal vertical relief throughout the corridor, the contractor had to pay close attention to drainage of the roadway at all times, and especially at intersections to minimize any ponding of water. Electrical work was significant with installation of a new continuous standard street lighting system, decorative pedestrian lighting, signal interconnect and four signalized intersections. Extensive coordination was also required with the city of Green Bay to ensure their standards were incorporated as they are the maintaining authority of this connecting highway.

This high complexity and very tight working day contract was completed ahead of schedule. Vinton Construction delivered a high quality concrete pavement with all materials meeting specification. Overall the project was well designed and the construction personnel on site where seasoned and well organized which made for a smooth running project. Every aspect of the project from conception to completion was carefully thought out, well executed, and a huge success. The WisDOT and the City of Green Bay have a revitalized corridor which will spur business redevelopment for many years to come thanks to the commitment of all parties involved and the use of concrete pavement.