City of Mequon Weekly Bulletin - February 2, 2018

Upcoming Meetings
Mequon Festivals Committee: February 5 – 6:00 p.m. (Agenda)
Architectural Board: February 12 – 6:30 p.m.
Planning Commission: February 12 – 7:00 p.m.
Public Welfare Committee: February 13 – 5:00 p.m.
Finance-Personnel Committee: February 13 – 6:00 p.m.
Public Works Committee: February 13 – 6:00 p.m.
Water Utility District Commission: February 13 – 7:00 p.m.
Sewer Utility District Commission: February 13 – 7:00 p.m.
Common Council: February 13 – 7:30 p.m.

Last City of Mequon ENews Distributed
The City’s ENews sent on Thursday, January 25, was the last edition. The ENews has transitioned to the City Hall Weekly Bulletin, which will continue to provide information on events happening within the community and provide additional information on everything from public safety to elections. Past editions of the City Hall Weekly Bulletin can be found on the City’s website.

Mother Nature Causes Damage to Area Roadways
You may have noticed recently that your daily commute is a bit bumpier than usual. You also may have heard about recent reports of “frost quakes” in the area. What you are experiencing are the effects of frost heave in Mequon’s silty clay soils.

As moisture in soils freezes and thaws, ice layers form and expand underground causing the overlying material to lift upwards, which is known as a frost heave. Frost heaves can be strong enough to damage roads, bridges, buildings, and foundations. The soils in the western half of Mequon (Ozaukee Silt Loam) have high moisture capacity, high shrink-swell potential, low bearing strength, and slow permeability. All of these characteristics lead to higher potential for frost heave.When fluctuating weather conditions such as periods of extreme cold followed by periods of warm temperatures with rain, then periods of cold temperatures again occur, the fluctuating freezing and thawing conditions heave the soil even more.

The Department of Public Works highway crews have been out recently making repairs to some of the most damaged pavements, heating up the edges of the lifted pavement and smoothing out the worst bumps. Most of the frost heaved roads will settle back down after the spring thaw. During the spring thaw however, there is potential for more road damage as the frozen soil and ice melt, leaving the base material under the pavements saturated and weak until the frost goes out completely allowing the base to finally drain.

City crews will continue to monitor road conditions. Once the spring thaw is over, roads will be assessed and permanent repairs can be made. Until that time it is important that all drivers make sure to keep their tires properly inflated and adjust their speed accordingly when traveling frost heave damaged roadways.

Wisconsin Department of Transit (WisDOT) Ends WIS 167 Corridor Study
As of January 23, 2018, WisDOT has abandoned the study for the long range plan of the reconstruction of Wisconsin Highway 167 (Mequon Road) between County Aire Drive and Wauwatosa Road that began in 2010. The five-mile-long study evaluated the need for additional lanes, analyzed traffic at all intersections, examined access locations and median openings to improve highway safety and efficiency, and the impacts of proposed improvement alternatives. The data gathered has been incorporated into the intersection improvements beginning this spring at Mequon Road and Country Aire Drive. Please view the attached letter from WisDOT Southeastern Region Project Manager Andrew Wheeler or visit WisDOT's website for additional details.

Mequon-Thiensville School District Rated #4 in Wisconsin
Niche.com just released their 2018 Best School Districts in Wisconsin List, and the Mequon-Thiensville School District has earned the number 4 spot. The 2018 Best School Districts ranking is based on analysis of key statistics, test scores, college readiness, teacher quality and data from the U.S. Department of Education. For additional information, please go to view Niche.com’s website.