Winona Town Council Considers Road Work
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Winona lake - Decisions on road improvements to several parts of town - including a redesign of the Argonne Road-Winona Avenue intersection - could be decided in the next month.
Town council mulled over several ideas involving road work, some of which could begin within two weeks and others destined for next year.
The proposals included:
• Resurfacing of Kings Highway from Sixth Street to the Argonne intersection, which will occur soon. Plans were changed Tuesday to mill and resurface the road instead of just partially resurfacing it.
• Two versions for restructuring the Argonne intersection, which historically involved five roads converging just south of the Argonne viaduct. Town engineer Larry Long wants to improve the intersection so the streets intersect at right angles.
• Public works superintendent Kim Endicott will assemble a list of streets needing patch work. The list should be ready for review in two weeks.
Council looked at various issues involving the Argonne intersection.
The intersection merges Kings Highway, Argonne Road, Park Avenue and Winona Avenue.
A portion of Chesnut Street that merged into the intersection has already been vacated and cut off.
Long said the improvements are designed to improve traffic safety.
The project falls within the Tax Increment Finance District, but was not one of the projects financed with TIF revenues. A cost estimate was not discussed Tuesday.
The main feature of the redesign involves changing the way Argonne Road and Park Avenue merge.
Both proposals involve redesigning Park so it swings between the "Winona Mound" and the lake. The road currently runs north of the mound.
Some council members questioned whether enough room exists between the mound and the lake for a road. Council member Edna Gamble asked if the mound would cause a traffic hazard for north-bound traffic on Park.
Long defended the plan. He said he believes there is enough ground to construct the road and that it won't be too close to the lake. Some fill might be needed for proper elevations, he said.
"It would be great if the lake was 500 feet away, but that's not an option," Long said.
Gamble raised the idea of relocating the mound, but Long said he doesn't believe that will be necessary.
One of the designs includes left turn lanes for all traffic, Long said.
No decision was made Tuesday, but the topic will likely be discussed at council's next meeting May 12.
Officials hope to have the road project done by July 4 when the town hosts a festival.
Council will discuss another nearby project - resurfacing of Park - at its next meeting. The project is among the TIF projects and could occur this year.
Council President Brent Wilcoxson said $110,000 had been budgeted for road work this year, but said there's enough money available to do some extra work.
Councilman Harold Dunn, after listening to talk about several road projects, asked if the town was undertaking any road maintenance programs for the year. None were planned and Endicott was instructed to form a list of streets that need repairs.
Other work that might be done this summer includes the possible milling and resurfacing of Winona Avenue west to town limits near the Dairy Queen store. [[In-content Ad]]
Winona lake - Decisions on road improvements to several parts of town - including a redesign of the Argonne Road-Winona Avenue intersection - could be decided in the next month.
Town council mulled over several ideas involving road work, some of which could begin within two weeks and others destined for next year.
The proposals included:
• Resurfacing of Kings Highway from Sixth Street to the Argonne intersection, which will occur soon. Plans were changed Tuesday to mill and resurface the road instead of just partially resurfacing it.
• Two versions for restructuring the Argonne intersection, which historically involved five roads converging just south of the Argonne viaduct. Town engineer Larry Long wants to improve the intersection so the streets intersect at right angles.
• Public works superintendent Kim Endicott will assemble a list of streets needing patch work. The list should be ready for review in two weeks.
Council looked at various issues involving the Argonne intersection.
The intersection merges Kings Highway, Argonne Road, Park Avenue and Winona Avenue.
A portion of Chesnut Street that merged into the intersection has already been vacated and cut off.
Long said the improvements are designed to improve traffic safety.
The project falls within the Tax Increment Finance District, but was not one of the projects financed with TIF revenues. A cost estimate was not discussed Tuesday.
The main feature of the redesign involves changing the way Argonne Road and Park Avenue merge.
Both proposals involve redesigning Park so it swings between the "Winona Mound" and the lake. The road currently runs north of the mound.
Some council members questioned whether enough room exists between the mound and the lake for a road. Council member Edna Gamble asked if the mound would cause a traffic hazard for north-bound traffic on Park.
Long defended the plan. He said he believes there is enough ground to construct the road and that it won't be too close to the lake. Some fill might be needed for proper elevations, he said.
"It would be great if the lake was 500 feet away, but that's not an option," Long said.
Gamble raised the idea of relocating the mound, but Long said he doesn't believe that will be necessary.
One of the designs includes left turn lanes for all traffic, Long said.
No decision was made Tuesday, but the topic will likely be discussed at council's next meeting May 12.
Officials hope to have the road project done by July 4 when the town hosts a festival.
Council will discuss another nearby project - resurfacing of Park - at its next meeting. The project is among the TIF projects and could occur this year.
Council President Brent Wilcoxson said $110,000 had been budgeted for road work this year, but said there's enough money available to do some extra work.
Councilman Harold Dunn, after listening to talk about several road projects, asked if the town was undertaking any road maintenance programs for the year. None were planned and Endicott was instructed to form a list of streets that need repairs.
Other work that might be done this summer includes the possible milling and resurfacing of Winona Avenue west to town limits near the Dairy Queen store. [[In-content Ad]]