Hwy 12 construction starts in Altoona Monday, businesses hopeful for positive impact from the improvement

Sunday, April 17, 2016
Kaitlyn Riley | WQOW

Altoona (WQOW) - Construction will start Monday for the resurfacing of a two-mile stretch along Highway 12 in Altoona. 

The Wisconsin DOT planned to remove concrete and add three inches of asphalt to the road between Otter Creek and Industrial Drive. Plans also included improving intersections, rebuilding the Otter Creek Bridge, widening traffic lanes, and adding bicycle lanes. the $3.5 million project is expected to be complete by June 30. 

News 18 met with multiple businesses along Highway 12 who said they were not concerned about the project keeping customers from their door. 

"I don't think it is going to affect my business too much because at least the county as assured me they are going to keep it open to traffic," Dick Butler, owner of Dicks Divot Driving Range, said. 

Other businesses said they are looking forward to seeing what changes the construction could bring. Happy Hollow Tavern owner Dan Malone said it has been nearly 20 years since the road was resurfaced, and the road has almost 20,000 cars driving on it every day. Ed Bohn, owner of The Shed agreed the road was deteriorating. 

"There is more and more traffic on it every year, so we might as well do it now instead of later," Bohn said. "When it is done, it will make it much easier for people to travel. 

Stitch Supply Company owner Ann Sandler said she saw a need for the intersections to be repaired for peoples safety. 

"There is so much new construction here," Sandler said. "A new road is just going to make the area even more attractive for people to either build their home or start their business."

The Happy Hollow Tavern has a business plan set to survive the resurfacing. 

"We're hoping that the construction workers will come over for lunch and hopefully for happy our after the fact," Malone said. "We'll be posting some construction specials both on our website and on our Facebook page. We'll make it worth the trip."

Sandler with Stitch Supply Company said she was optimistic customers would continue to come. 

"A lot of our traffic is for people traveling to the area, and if they know a quilt shop is around, they will stop and shop on their way to wherever they are going, so I am hoping the construction doesn't deter that group from coming to the shop," Sandler said. 

Ed Bohn with The Shed said his business was being hit with construction twice this spring with a project starting on County Highway AA later in April or early May. 

"That is going to be closed for three months, so at one time, we are going to be kind of an island," Bohn said. "We are a very unique store in the Chippewa Valley. With the road construction coming on, it will affect us a little, but the big thing is we're a  destination store, so with the 45 vendors we have, people want to come here,"

Updated construction information can be found on the DOT's 511 website. 

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