Trapped in Southern Bellevue … Road Construction Woes

If anyone has recently tried to get around in eastern Bellevue recently, one may have easily become frustrated. With many (in our case most) of the throughways blocked by construction, it has been both an expensive (in gas) and time consuming endeavor in making ones way to any destination other than directly out of town.  

At least with Stage 1 of the construction project completed, including the addition of a new round a bout at Verlin Rd (Co. JJ) and Main Street (Hwy 141), it helps somewhat. 

Now to Stage 2. 

Phase 2 of Manitowoc Road Project Begins Monday, September 13th as described on th e http://villageofbellevue.blogspot.com/ blog with more information on the town’s website,http://villageofbellevue.org/. 

One may derive from the stage 2 detour map that only one direction may be available.  It almost felt as if we were trapped here for a good part of the summer. We should not have been surprised when trying to get on to I43, a route SE in to Mason St via Ontario Rd.  Not so much.  One will find that just to the north of Ontario Rd/Eaton Rd Round A Bout, Ontario Road is closed and blocked as well.  One does not seem to discover this until there.  At the blockage. This fill force one to take a detour …  from the detour, thus adding more time to the overall trip and miss ones appointment.  On the map to the right I, I show the approximate location of where Ontario Rd is blocked.

The Village of Bellevue Blog states “Project Status; Construction has started on the 2nd phase o f  the project.  With this phase the bridge between the ramps over I-43 will be closed to traffic during construction.  In addition, night ramp closures will also occur.  The first closures will be September 14th, 15th, and 16th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 AM.  This closure will impact the NB I-43 Ramp to Manitowoc Road.  The second set of closures will impact the SB I-43 On & Off Ramps and will occur on September 21st, 22nd, & 23rd.  These dates and times subject to change based on weather.  All construction must be completed by November 23, 2010”. 

The Village of Bellevue Website states in their Stage 2 Overview “The second stage of the project  will be to complete the work needed on the bridge and ramps over I-43. It is anticipated that the bridge will be closed to all traffic for a maximum of 15 working days. During this time the bridge concrete will be repaired and resurfaced. The ramps would remain open except when temporary closures take place for repairs and improvements on those ramps.  Construction will be allowed at night to expedite the construction. Ramps may be closed at night from 7 pm to 9 am, but reopen during the day. All lanes of traffic along CTH JJ between the ramp and Eaton as well as the ramp and Main Street will remain open to traffic”.

Let us all hope that the remainder of the work goes well and is finished on time. I am depending on it, and so is my gas budget.