Letter to Neighbors: What are those big pipes doing there, anyhow?! (Rail to Trail Bulletin #1)

It's begun! For many months I've felt, as convenor of the DMNA rail-to-trail committee, like a farmer getting his planting equipment ready at Christmas -- way ahead of the seasons.

Now, quite suddenly, we're behind! In what resembled a Blitzkrieg in its effects as well as its speed, MG&E carried out their cutting/mowing operations, and have the path rough-graded as far as the Sheldon/Virginia Terrace crossing. I apologize to neighbors for the lack of any warning from me. But I note, in a defensive mode, that MG&E itself expected that work to be taking place 2 weeks later.

I recommend all to take a look. The path is easy walking west from Sheldon/Virginia Terrace to Glenway and beyond. Closer to Odana you will see the pipe being welded into long lengths on the side of the path, ready to be buried.

Let me know what you think. Some think it is the worst "clear cut" since the Wisconsin pineries were done in the last century. Until the "bodies" of myriad small trees were cleaned up, that's indeed what it looked like. On the other hand, as the grading is completed you begin to see a little what our path will look like. My personal opinion? It's going to be beautiful. But that's just what I think.

MG&E is VERY anxious that we be as happy as possible about their work. They hope, probably vainly, to lay to rest the infamy of long-past tree-cutting operations, bad memories that occupy a central place in the DMNA collective psyche. If you have ANY problems, complaints, or just questions, PLEASE call or email Bob Stoffs (252 7906, rstoffs@mge.com). Bob cannot put cut trees back, but he will be very willing to help deal with particular cleanup requests, or damage to homeowners' property (e.g., we heard that one window pane was knocked out by a felled tree). But Bob, and MG&E, cannot do much if we do not take our complaints (if any) to him.

What's coming now? InterCon Construction -- MG&E's contractor -- will dig a trench under the center line of the final paved path and bury the pipe so that it will be 3 feet under the FINAL paved path. In many places the path plans (by EarthTech) call for either grading or filling. InterCon will probably leave most of this for the contractor who does the construction of the path itself. In the meantime, InterCon is being as careful as possible not to contribute to the spread of the tall, bamboo like plant known as Japanese knotweed. This noxious weed, an exotic originally from Japan, has taken over large areas on the north side of the path between Glenway and Sheldon/Virginia Terrace. The extent this plant has taken over is more obvious now that the edges of the railbed are cleared.

Laying the pipe depends in part on dry days and goes slower than the clearing and grading. Don't hold me to this, but it will probably be a week or two from now (6/16) when the pipe laying reaches Glenway/Virginia Terrace.

At the old underpass between Fox and Hillington Green (originally a "cow pass" under the railroad) the pipe will be slanted down past Kurt Kiefer's home and out to Fox Avenue, and be taken thence to Commonwealth and Allen Street. This morning InterCon and MG&E met with Kurt and other neighbors and agreed amicably on trees that will be removed to give the machinery access. The historic "cow pass" will be preserved. We expect that once path construction is complete the pedestrian access at that point will be improved by DMNA with some financial assistance from MG&E.

InterCon/MG&E hope to finish their work so that construction of the path itself will not delayed.

AND -- I hear that a contractor for the main job has been selected by the City. But I have been unable to confirm that and get information as I write this update. So, more next week -- please stay tuned.

Also, I'll organize a meeting of our reconstituted committee ASAP - watch for notices!

Best regards to all,

Paul Beckett Convenor, DMNA Rail to Trail Committee

P.S. Paul Beckett maintains an email list of DMNA residents interested in the project. If you want to be on this list, let Paul know at : pbeckett@facstaff.wisc.edu

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Last Modified: 03-Feb-08 05:53 PM

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