Eau Claire council hears plans for reconstruction, sidewalks and safety upgrades on Birch, First and Vine streets

Eau Claire City Council members heard a detailed presentation Feb. 10 on proposed street, utility and sidewalk improvements on three projects: Birch Street (Franklin Street to Bergen Avenue), First Street (Platt Street to Third Street) and a two-block section of Vine Street.

The projects, presented by Director Ness of city engineering staff, would reconstruct pavement, replace or spot‑repair sidewalks, adjust storm sewer inlets, and add pedestrian and bicycle accommodations where feasible. “We will be proposing to remove the existing concrete…adjust storm inlets for the storm sewer, but we will not be reconstructing utilities or their mains, just adjustments to the storm sewer inlets,” Director Ness said.

The Birch Street plan calls for repaving a 66‑foot right‑of‑way that serves as a minor arterial and primary access to downtown and abuts about 70 properties. The design retains an existing raised median near Longfellow Elementary and adds a new refuge island and a rapid rectangular flashing beacon (RRFB) at the school crossing. City staff said the crossing was identified by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) as a safe route to school…