 Ribbon cutting from left to right are Tom Strouf, State Sen. Dave Hansen, US Rep. Steve Kagen, Chairman George Bousley, State Rep. John Nygren, Grover Town Chairman Wayne Staidl and Rev. David Zahn of the Peshtigo Chamber of Commerce. |
Peshtigo US 41 Bypass Dedication Is Held Nov. 12 The Latin phrase “Magnum Opus”, meaning “great work” fits the $140 million reconstruction of US 41 from Oconto to just south of Marinette, making it at long last a four lane highway to Chicago and beyond.
Cost of the total project was $120 million and the Peshtigo by-pass was approximately $46.1 million.
Though the bypass is not quite finished, the ceremony was moved up to avoid complications of possible winter weather, deer season and Thanksgiving Day. It was a good choice, as Thursday, Nov. 12 proved to be a sunny day, and the event was well-attended.
Marinette County Board Chairman George Bousley was Master of Ceremonies, and did an effective, relaxed job. There was a great turnout, and parking spread all the way to the nearby Seguin House of Cheese spacious lot.
The Peshtigo High School Band opened with the Star Spangled Banner and the Marinette County Sheriff Department’s well trained Color Guard posted the colors with smart military precision. Pledge of Allegiance was by Peshtigo Student Council.
Bousley named many of the key planners of the entire $140 million project, with a new four lane stretch from Oconto to Peshtigo, with bypasses for both cities. He noted the highway improvement will stimulate economic development, expediting transport and shipping, and even help railroad transport. “We want jobs for our people, and this will help!”, said Bousley.
Peshtigo Mayor Tom Strouf said he has mixed emotions, but mostly positive ones, though some businesses might be hurt. Industries will welcome transportation and Peshtigo will be more of a destination point.
Town of Grover Chairman Wayne Staidl remarked, “We’ve been waiting a while. This four lane was needed. It can mean Great Lakes - Canada trading partners.” He added that Grover, the Town of Peshtigo and the City of Peshtigo will work together to make the transition to the future smoother, along with the Town of Little River and the City of Oconto.
Town of Peshtigo Supervisor Karen Sylvester called it a “final connection”, and said if all the dollar bills the highway reconstruction cost were laid end to end, it would reach all the way to Paris, France.
John Nygren, 89th District Assemblyman congratulated all the levels of government involved and spoke of fine cooperation for the future economic development of the area.
State Senator David Hansen, noting the date of Nov. 11 thanked veterans for their service, and thanked the Peshtigo Band. He called the project now nearing completion “near and dear to my heart - traffic will be safer and will move more quickly.” He said former State Assemblyman John Gard worked very hard for this, starting 10 years ago for this long term highway project.
US Congressman Steve Kagan exclaimed, “Four lanes to Florida!” He said the cost of the project will multiply itself many times over because of the improvement.
Mike Berg, DOT Regional Director remarked, “US 41 is the ‘Main Street’ of northeast Wisconsin, and this is a significant investment in that Main Street.”
The event concluded with a ribbon cutting and the band, directed by Danny Smith, playing a spirited rendition of “On Wisconsin” in anticipation of the Badger’s football victory over the Michigan Wolverines. Rev. David Zahn of Zion Lutheran Church, Peshtigo, who is Peshtigo Chamber president, also spoke.
Steve Nole, WisDOT, was Project Development Supervisor, Michael Leitzke, DOT Project Manager, consulting engineers were Collins Engineering, JT Engineering, and Mead and Hunt.
Prime contractor was Hoffman Construction of Black River Falls and subcontractors included Century Fence, Hi Boom Erecting, Highway Landscapers, Lunda Construction, Michels Corporation, Michels Materials, and Northeast Asphalt.
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