Posted: June 9, 2009

Greendale — Motorists may find Grange Avenue free of construction sooner than they expected.

A project that began in April to reconstruct Grange from 76th Street to Loomis Road, as well part of 60th Street near Grange, was scheduled to be completed Aug. 28. However, crews have avoided major problems and the weather has cooperated enough to put the construction ahead of schedule, said Carl Tisonik, the village's director of public works.

"If we keep going the way we are, we'll be done early," he said.

Residents will drive on smooth pavement even sooner. The westbound lanes now closed will open up within a few weeks, Tisonik said, as work shifts to the eastbound lanes.

That means motorists will drive on brand-new pavement, rather than the currently rough part of Grange.

Crews will also put in new light poles and continue work on a new kind of water drainage system. The environmentally friendly system essentially acts as a giant filter that prevents dirty water from entering local rivers and streams where storm water is discharged, Tisonik said.

City officials have been pleased that residents appear to have read the regularly posted updates on the city's Web site. Police have reported few problems with speeding and reckless driving.

Tisonik is hoping it stays that way as work progresses through the summer.

"We ask people to remain patient and … be very, very careful while driving in that zone," Tisonik said.

Village Manager Todd Michaels said it didn't appear to him that construction had negatively impacted businesses, including those in the Broad Street shopping district.

In addition to posting regular updates on Greendale's Web site, Michaels said officials have also gone to great lengths to alert drivers of alternate routes.

"From what I've seen, (business) has been normal," Michaels said, noting the economic downturn has affected all businesses.

ON THE WEB

For updates on the Grange Avenue and 60th Street, visit the village of Greendale's Web Site at Greendale.org.