Committee approves temporary repair and reopening of 28th Avenue despite risk of repeat failure

The Wausau Finance Committee approved a budget modification to pay for temporary repairs to reopen a closed section of 28th Avenue from Madonna Drive to West Wausau Avenue, with work planned for June 2025 through April 2026.

Staff reported the short-term pavement repair is estimated at approximately $65,000 (the packet showed $69,000 for reconstruction/reopening estimates during discussion), and said the underlying problem includes stormwater, drainage constraints and high bedrock that will be addressed in full during the roadway reconstruction scheduled for 2026. Committee members and residents had petitioned to reopen the road to relieve detour impacts on nearby neighborhoods.

During discussion, staff and committee members acknowledged the temporary repair is a “band aid”: a heavy rain or other event could re-fail the repaired section, and the temporary fix would not be carried forward toward the full 2026 reconstruction budget. Alder Hankey said the measure was requested by constituents in his district; other members said they supported moving the budget modification through the process but noted the risk-to-benefit trade-offs.

Alder Gisselman moved to approve the budget modification to reopen 28th Avenue; Alder McElhinney seconded. The motion passed by voice vote with the committee voting in favor.

Staff will proceed with temporary repairs and schedule the full reconstruction for 2026 as previously planned. Committee members requested the public engagement and final design work continue ahead of the 2026 reconstruction.