Lyssa Beyer

It has been approximately 40 to 50 years since Clairemont Ave. was first paved. This highly frequented avenue underwent many changes in the past. This summer, it will face the greatest changes it has ever faced as it will be re-paved from Highway 53 to Craig Road.

Michael Ostrowska, Project development manager for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, said the design effort for the re-pavement project took four years. While they have patched the avenue many times, they still try to maximize the life span of the pavement, he said.

Ostrowska also said they are aware of the heavy load of traffic using the road, which is why they will be working on the re-pavement in stages. These stages will result in times during the process where only one lane will be available in each direction.

“People should be aware and cautious when going through Clairemont,” Ostrowska said. “Chances for accidents are greater in these situations.”

Ostrowska said that the DOT hasn’t signed any contract with any contractor at this time.

They advertised the project in October of last year. Now they are expecting contractors to place bids with their respective proposals and the cost for the project, he said.

He also said they are looking to have all the bids received by March. Afterwards they will open the bids in a public forum and pick the lowest. Ostrowska doesn’t know how many bids they will get, but estimates the cost will range from $5 to $15 million.

The project is scheduled to start in May and be completed by the end of Oct., Ostrowska said.

“It would be a faster project if we closed (Clairemont) down completely,” Ostrowska said, “But this is not good for business around here and people don’t like closed roads. That is why we are going to work under traffic.”

He also said they will not only re-pave, but will work to improve multiple intersections, such as Highway 37 and Rudolph Road.

Gwen Larson, Eau Claire transit manager, said she doesn’t know anything about changes to the Clairemont route, as she didn’t talk with the Department of Transportation.

“We will do all in our powers to maintain service and our bus stops,” Larson said.

Sophomore Carlos Gorina said he often drives on Clairemont. He said he uses it to go to the Oakwood mall, Wal-Mart or to visit his host parents. Gorina will be in Eau Claire during the summer, but said that the re-pavement won’t interfere with his transportation, as he knows alternate routes around Eau Claire.

He said in this time he definitely sees that the road needs to be fixed.

“With the holes, the snow and the ice, it’s very dangerous to drive there,” Gorina said. “It’s good that they decided to re-pave it.”

Senior Christina Hansen disagrees. She said it is not the worst road in Eau Claire and it wouldn’t be the first road she would re-pave. She said that if it was up to her she would re-pave from Highway 53 to the last set of stoplights on County A.

She said she goes through Clairemont almost everyday coming to school from Altoona, but in the summer the re-pavement won’t affect her since she doesn’t take summer classes, and for her job she takes the highway.

Ostrowska said he wants to remind people there will be delays involved during the re-pavement of the road. He said people should be extra careful while driving through there.

“The road will be very congested at times,” Ostrowska said. “We highly encourage people to take alternate roads if at all possible.”