PHOTOS: Every Bugline Bridge Getting Widened, Repaired
After 28 years of use, the various bridges on the Bugline are getting a complete makeover.
The Bugline trail isn't the only thing slated for updates. Every bridge on the trail is getting a major facelift after more than 28 years.
Dave Burch, Waukesha County's operations manager, said county construction workers are currently repairing the bridge suspended over the railroad tracks near Quad/Graphics. The bridge will be closed for the next few weeks as workers widen the bridge and put new railings on.
"We'll be reconstructing all the bridges on the Bugline trail over time," Burch said. "These bridge projects, I mean, I worked on these in the early 80s. The wood on the bridges are now 28-years-old, so they've more than served their purpose."
Burch said the county is using money from their budget to construct the new bridges. Also, there won't be any additional costs beyond purchasing the new materials because county workers are constructing them. He added that Waukesha County is obligated to reconstruct the bridges in order for them to be up to code.
Residents eager to use the trail but are unable due to the construction can use the following routes:
From the west: Take Waukesha Avenue west to Good Hope Road. Take a right on Good Hope Road and travel down to Townline Road. Turn right on Townline, and in about a quarter-mile, the trail will cross Townline Road.
From the east: Take Townline Road to Good Hope Road. Turn left on Good Hope to Waukesha Avenue. Turn left on Waukesha Avenue, and in about a half a mile, the trail crosses Waukesha Avenue.
Craig
2:11 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Based on this, there is no way the jackwagons on the County Board are going to stop the plans to pave the Bugline.
FREE MONEY when you are using someone else's checkbook.
Steve ®
11:11 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Pave the planet
I vote stamped concrete, Obama's payin'
Andy Ambrosius
9:13 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Side note: I love stamped concrete. So cool looking! Hah.
Paula
8:29 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Bugline... keep the project going. I agree with the upgrade and reconstruction of the Bugline trail. I have walked the trail and find it to be dangerous at times due to walkers and bikes sharing the same path. I am happy to have our tax dollars go towards a project that will encourage more people to walk. I have elderly parents and this will provide a safe walking surface for them to walk on and enjoy nature at the same time
Andy Ambrosius
9:12 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I love hearing another perspective to the project. Everyone seems so against the paving project, so this is refreshing.
Richard
10:04 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Paving, means more people, means more trash along the route, so much for nature and wildflowers. Bridges did need some repair work to insure safety. It didn't take long for the bridal path fence to come down, let's see what happens to the asphalt. Do the horses still get to use the trail, plop, plop! Dogs too, the doo doo may no longer disappear as quickly. I'm older and so are a bunch of friends and the walking seems to be okay for us. Oh yes, and the bikers will be able to be faster too! Sounds great to me.
Paula
4:22 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I appreciate your perspective. I agree that more people will be on the trail due to the improvements. That is great news to me because we all need to get out more and get to know people in our neighborhoods. In addition, health care cost are on a rise and one way to help fight these costs, is to get people out and exercising. If dog droppings are an issue, maybe you could ask to have more poles with doggie bags for people to use to help clean up after their pets. The asphalt may also help keep things cleaner because it will wash off easier in a rain. I am glad that you are in good health and having an even surface is not an issue for you when walking. Nevertheless, this project is for all to enjoy, the healthy, sick, old, and young. We will always have people riding to fast on the trail and leaving there litter but I do believe that is the exception not the rule. Most people, including myself try to keep our trails clean. The wild flowers will now be protected because people will most likely stay on the trail then wonder off it to get out of someone's way.
Mike B
10:25 am on Thursday, May 3, 2012
It shouldn't take a few weeks to replace a bridge. Come one. Should be a weekend project or maybe 1 week at most. The have to close the whole path, which sucks, since obviously you can't just go around a bridge that isn't open.
Andy Ambrosius
1:59 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2012
I know - totally sucks that part of the trail is pretty much useless until they finish.