Some work on Locust Road remains to be done

If you haven't driven yet on the new Locust Road, you're going to like it.  The new road features a wider roadbed, a separate sidewalk on its north end and plenty of steps to control rainwater runoff.

City Engineer Jeremy Bril says there are a few remaining steps to be completed for the project--steps which should not result in the closing of the road, however.  Alliant Energy still must bury its electrical wires in conduit running along the roadway, which means the utility poles along the road will be coming down.  Crews from other companies continue to work on other cables which will be buried along the roadway.

Bril says one of the biggest improvements done as part of the project is the improved drainage along the road.  Previously there was no way to slow down the rainwater when it fell along the road, but now a series of "stair steps" will help to regulate the flow of runoff water.

Pedestrians and bike riders should also enjoy the new road--there's an eight foot wide bike lane on the side of the road, as well as wide shoulders to separate vehicle traffic from people who are on the side of the roadway.