The official arrival of spring is March 20, and arriving with it are peeks of fresh color as the remnants of snow melt away.

But while green grass with a blue sky backdrop is sure to be a welcome change from icy white winter, spring also typically brings a hue a little less warmly regarded: fluorescent orange.

Yes, it’s almost road construction time again.

The Village Board recently approved two plans for local roadwork in 2011: the Spring Green North and general road program construction projects. Combined, the total contract amounts are not to exceed $3.14 million, or nealry $760,000 less than combined cost estimates for the projects.

Spring Green North Project

This year, Sussex will see the completion of the Spring Green Utility and Roadway Reconstruction Project, which involves work north of Clover Drive on Tulip Lane, Tulip Court, Lilac Drive and Lilly Court.

“We’re basically redoing the sanitary and water mains, storm sewer and full road reconstruction,” said Eric Nitschke, the village's director of public works.

He describes the project as “a full utility reconstruction that will save the village over a million dollars in sanitary costs within its 50-year lifespan.”

Slated to start as early as April 1, the work is expected to be completed by the end of August, without detours.

The Village Board awarded the Spring Green North project to Advance Construction at $1.44 million, with total costs not to exceed $1.58 million, including contingency. The contract cap is nearly $320,000 shy of the $1.9 million project cost estimate.

2011 Road Program

Also scheduled from early April to late August is the village's 2011 general road construction program. The project consists of mill and overlay maintenance in the following areas:

• Area 1: Woodland Creek Drive, Edgewood Lane, White Ash Court, Twin Oaks Court and Chestnut Hill Road.
•  Area 2: Homestead Court, Canyon Meadows Court, Keystone Drive, Keystone Court and the Good Hope Road/Waukesha Avenue intersection. 
• Area 3: Lynn Anne Lane, Michele Lane, Lorraine Court, Meadow Lane, Homestead Road, Prairie Court and Prairie Lane.
• Area 4: Linda Drive, Salem Drive, Nancy Drive and Candlewick Drive.

The four neighborhood areas will see general road improvements, such as spot repairs to curbs and minor repairs to utilities, as well as new asphalt.

 According to Nitschke, the local road project was estimated at just under $2 million. The contract awarded to Payne and Dolan is for $1.42 million, with total costs not to exceed $1.56 million, including contingency.

“There most likely will be a detour involved with the 2011 road program work that will be done on the intersection of Good Hope and Waukesha Avenue,” he said, noting that exact dates and routes for the detours should be known within a month.

No County, State Roadwork Plans for Sussex Area

Aside from the local roadwork, 2011 looks to be a quiet year as far as county and state road construction in the area.

According to Allison Bussler, Waukesha County’s public works director, county roads in Sussex will face “no large reconstruction or intersection projects.”

The same is true for state road projects, said Dennis Shook, southeast regional communications manager for the state Department of Transportation.

“I’m not seeing anything that looks likely" in terms of state road construction for the Sussex area, Shook said.