Street Improvement Project: Osceola
Local Street Reconstruction
VILLAGE OF OSCEOLA, POLK COUNTY, WI
Oak Ridge Drive in the Village of Osceola was in very poor condition. It is a bus route to nearby schools and handles a large amount of vehicular and bus traffic. Poor drainage accelerated the pavement deterioration. Two years prior, the Village installed curb along one side of the street to help control stormwater. However, this did not solve the pavement and drainage issues. The Village, who is committed to innovative stormwater management practices, requested a solution that incorporated rain gardens and biofiltration drainage areas. In 2007, the Village initiated a street improvement project.
Stevens Engineers assisted the Village with the following improvements:
- The existing bituminous pavement was reclaimed to increase the subgrade strength.
- A thicker pavement section was placed to accommodate the large truck and vehicular traffic patterns on this roadway.
- New curb and gutter was constructed on one side of the street. Curb cuts were designed to divert runoff into and out of the biofiltration and rain garden areas.
- With limited storm pipes in the area and the Village’s desire to implement innovative stormwater management, biofiltration and rain gardens were incorporated to control the drainage. These areas also included engineered soils and drain tile.
- The biofiltration and rain gardens were planted with colorful native species to compliment the residential yards. Extreme care was taken in selecting plantings that promote infiltration and were acceptable to the homeowners.
- Stevens also assisted the Village with construction surveying and observation for the project.