Ask MRN: I see several ‘road closed’ signs on North 12th Street. What’s happening out there?

Dear MRN:

What’s happening on North 12th Street out by Koch’s Lane? I see several “road closed” signs. Can I get to a couple of businesses I like to visit out there?

Construction work began Monday on 12th Street just south of the intersection with Koch’s Lane. Alderman Greg Fletcher, (R-1st Ward), said 12th Street will be under repair for the spring and much of the summer. Aldermen voted to approve this $1.9 million road project on May 3 last year.

“North 12th is being completely torn up and redone — new sewers, water lines, sidewalks and street,” Fletcher said after Monday’s City Council meeting. “Then we’re also turning west on Koch’s Lane and going a little bit. 

“The problem we have is there are a lot of homes and businesses on 12th Street, and the businesses especially are pretty petrified they’re going to be out of business this summer.”

Fletcher said he recently talked with Rees Construction (the contractor for the road repair project) and Jeff Conte (director of engineering and utilities), and both promised him that all businesses along that stretch of road will be accessible. 

Many homeowners west of 12th Street may have access to Cedar Creek Drive and Westwood Drive blocked during the construction process,. They will be forced to access the neighborhood from Northridge Drive (off Koch’s Lane) for a period of time. Cars heading west on Koch’s Lane can get to 12th Street by turning on to North 16th, heading south and then turning west on Winsor Drive.

“We need to let the people know that this street will still be open, not for through traffic but for people who have a reason to there,” Fletcher said. “We just don’t want the public to see these roadblocks and think, ‘Well, I can’t get to Sterling Awards’ or ‘I can’t get to the Ayerco gas station.’ Nobody is going to be shutting down businesses, and the Rees Construction people have assured me they will go out of their way to make sure everybody is accommodated.

“Any time you have real construction, it’s a tough gig. But we’ll get through it.”

Fletcher says he started receiving complaints about the road closures Monday.

“I know people are getting nervous, but we’re going to try to keep everybody happy out there,” he said.