Construction begins July 5 to resurface a portion of Stewart Avenue—just in time to cause complications during popular summer events.
Traveling on the state highway corridor will be reduced to one lane during much of the construction, which overlaps with the Wisconsin Valley Fair and the Wausau Marathon, which uses part of Stewart Avenue for its route. The marathon is particularly problematic because as a Boston Marathon qualifier, it would require recertification if significant changes to its road surface are put in place. Certification costs $1,500, says Wausau Area Visitors and Convention Bureau Director Dick Barrett.
But WisDOT officials say they will work with race directors so construction won’t hamper the marathon, and crews will minimize at least some of the work performed during major events at Marathon Park.
The updated thoroughfare will be resurfaced from 1st Avenue to 17th Avenue, with 5-foot bicycle lanes incorporated on each side of the road. The project represents the city’s first buffered bike lanes.
