Engineering

Latest Update

11/13/2020 Update:

The majority of the work on this project is now complete.  The contractor will return to the site during the week of Nov. 16, 2020 to complete any remaining miscellaneous work.

Project Overview

In 2020, the City of Madison is planning to reconstruct several alleys on the west side. Locations of the alleys are shown in map below.

In general, each of the alleys has poor pavement condition and/or drainage problems, so these projects would address those issues.  The pavement type selected for each alley was dependent on the grades along the alley and how the new pavement could match into the adjacent areas.  More specifically, the improvements to these alleys are the following:

• 1900 block of Jefferson/Adams alley: Install new concrete pavement with new storm sewer to help drain the low area mid-block.
• 1800 block of Jefferson/Adams alley: Install new asphalt pavement with gutters on either side, and modify the storm sewer at the Harrison St. end to fit the new alley.
• 1800 block of Adams/Vilas alley: Install new concrete pavement with new storm sewer to help drain the low area mid-block.
• 1300 block of of Chandler/Vilas alley: Install new asphalt pavement with gutters on either side, and install a portion of pervious pavement within the alley.  The storm sewer will also be extended up the alley to provide additional drainage and serve as a back-up to the pervious pavement system.
• 1200 block of Chandler/Vilas alley: Install new asphalt pavement with gutters on either side, and install new storm sewer at the Orchard St. end to help collect storm water before the sidewalk.

The projects include assessments to the adjacent properties, and the assessment policy for the reconstruction of alleys is that the City and adjacent property owners share the costs of the project on a 50/50 basis.  Estimated assessments have been mailed to the adjacent property owners, and the final assessments will be calculated and sent in the summer of 2021.

Project Schedule

To keep the costs of the project lower, this project has been bid with flexibility in the schedule, so the actual schedule for construction will be dependent on the contractor.  Residents along each alley will be sent a letter prior to construction starting, and, once work begins in an alley, it will take approximately 5-6 weeks to complete.

Public Involvement 

There are a number of points of contact during this project where the public is encouraged to give feedback as part of public information meetings and public hearings. Dates and times are indicated below:

Public Information Meeting

A public information meeting was held Dec. 5, 2019 at Edgewood College.
Dec. 5, 2019 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation

City Meetings

Board of Public Works Public Hearing: Jan. 8, 2020, approved
Common Council Public Hearing: Jan. 21, 2020, approved