Important News Releases

Posted 01/16/2018:

Downtown One-Way Street Questionnaire for Long-Term Planning Purposes: The City of Watertown through the Public Safety and Welfare Committee, is conducting a survey to seek public input on one-way streets in the City of Watertown. The survey can be completed by visiting the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZMC3SR9

The survey link can be found on the City’s website and social media pages and will be open from Tuesday, January 16, 2018 through Tuesday, January 30, 2018. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Engineering Department at (920) 262-4060. 

Posted 09/07/2017:

*N. Second Street Bridge Update: The contract for the removal and replacement of the North Second (N. 2^nd) Street Bridge has been awarded to Lunda Construction of Waukesha, WI.  The project is set to begin Fall 2017 with completion in Summer 2018.  This project is partially funded by the Wisconsin DOT’s Local Bridge Program 205. The improvements for the replacement of the N. 2^nd Street bridge will include: A 3-span prestressed concrete girder bridge which reduces number of piers in the Rock River (minimizing maintenance and debris collection); a roadway which will include 12 ft. travel lanes, 6 ft. bike lanes and 8 ft. Sidewalks outside of the curb; increased navigable clearance under the structure for boat traffic, a shorter structure length eliminating the need for expansion joints which will reduce long term maintenance, improved sight distance for adjacent driveways; and street lighting as aesthetic enhancements. N. 2^nd Street bridge is closed and will remain closed for the duration of the project.  Demolition of the existing structure is anticipated to begin this fall.  Replacement of the crossing will begin in Spring 2018 and completion is set for Summer 2018.  A detour route has been posted for the duration of construction and includes Cady Street, Church Street, and Spaulding Street.  The total estimated cost of the proposed action is approximately $2,525,000 (without E&C) and a total project length of 0.15 miles.

*Construction Starting on the Watertown Lower Dam Rehabilitation Project: The City of Watertown wishes to advise that the Contractor for the Lower Dam Rehabilitation project, Janke Contractors, will begin mobilizing on Friday, September 8, 2017, and work on the dam will commence shortly thereafter.  It is anticipated that the Rock River draw down of a total of six feet (6’) will be reached on Monday, September 11, 2017. The drawdown will be limited to the area between the Upper and Lower Dams (approximately 2.55 stream-miles) as shown in the figure on the following page. The total depth of the drawdown will vary with rain events. The maximum anticipated depth of drawdown is 6 feet (to EL. 802.50 ft. NGVD29 at the Lower Watertown Dam). This project is expected to last until the end of December. NOTE:  The Riverwalk, located on the east side of the Rock River between Jefferson Street south to Wisconsin Streets (or roughly between 7Up south to the Senior Center parking lot) will be closed to the Public for the duration of the project. If you have any questions, please contact City Engineer, Jaynellen Holloway, at 920-262-4050.  Times to call are:  Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Posted 08/23/2017:
In response to a request from DS Johnson LLP to close a portion of S. Second Street – the south bound lane west to the west right-of-way line, the City of Watertown will be closing all of the south bound lane of S. Second Street between E. Main Street south to the alley.  Please click on THIS LINK to view the full news release.

PAVEMENT MARKING IN DOWNTOWN DISTRICT TO BEGIN: Beginning on May 8, 2017, the City of Watertown will begin removing and repainting pavement markings for parking stalls, crosswalks, street centerlines and symbols along Main Street between College Avenue and Church Street. The City has contracted with Century Fence Company, out of Pewaukee, WI, to complete the work.  The Contractor proposes to begin work at the intersection of E. Main Street and College Avenue and work west to Church Street, working in one lane at a time. The work will be done between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Monday through Friday to accommodate customers and businesses.  Each week work will begin at 12:00 a.m. Monday morning and finish by 5 a.m. Friday morning. During the pavement painting, parking will be restricted on Main Street.  The City will place temporary NO PARKING signs in the area the Contractor will be working. The City is asking landlords and business owners to advise residential tenants of the upcoming parking restriction. Business owners and tenants should also be aware that the paint removal phase will create some noise. The City of Watertown is having an epoxy coating placed, which has a longer life span than the existing water based paint, and an expected live expectancy of three to seven years.The project is expected to last approximately four weeks.  If inclement weather continues, the project could exceed that timeline.  If any business has a special event taking place in the next two months, the Contractor is willing to accommodate that business as best it can and is willing to avoid that business on its special day.  Please contact Jay Haberkorn, City of Watertown Engineering Department, at 920-262-4047 to make arrangements.

The City of Watertown, WI will be closing the North Second Street Bridge effective Wednesday, March 1, 2017 and it will remain closed until construction of the new bridge is completed in July of 2018.  The bridge is located over the Rock River and is between North Avenue to the north and Herman Street to the south.  The bridge is being closed due to structural issues.  A detour will be set up for motorists and pedestrians to use. No vehicular or pedestrian traffic will be allowed to cross the bridge until the new bridge is opened in July of 2018.

The deadline for obtaining City street opening permits is Friday, November 18, 2016. All contractors who do not make the deadline will have to wait until the spring thaw of 2017 to open streets for sewer laterals and utility work.  This generally is in and around March 15^th. Arrangements should be made with the Watertown Water Department for these laterals in the street right-of-way.

Posted 12/22/15:  New Tennis Courts Featured
Watertown's new tennis courts are featured in Fred Kolkmann Tennis & Sport Surfaces, LLC 2016 calendar! We've made the front cover and March feature court. Be sure to check out the new tennis courts in person, if you haven't already! 


Posted 11/19/15:  N. Second Street Bridge Weight Limit

Due to the current condition of the North Second Street Bridge, a weight limit of 20 tons is to be enforced upon the bridge effective immediately. The weight limit enforcement on the bridge comes after the receipt of the most recent bridge inspection report and as ordered by the State of Wisconsin. In addition to the weight limit, the bridge will also be inspected more frequently until its replacement in 2017. The next bridge inspection is tentatively scheduled for May of 2016. The weight limit will not inhibit the passage of fire trucks, ambulances or school buses.  

The improvements to South Second Street between Main Street south to Western Avenue and the adjoining cross streets are completed with the exception of a painted centerline stripe down S. Second Street.  Striping will be completed the week of November 16^th, weather permitting. The Watertown Common Council approved an ordinance at their October 20^th and November 3^rd meetings establishing South Second Street as a two-way street with parking on both sides of the street between Jefferson Street south to Western Avenue.  It had previously been a one-way street with parking on both sides between Jefferson Street and Western Avenue.  The section of South Second Street from Main Street to Jefferson Street is currently and will remain two-way traffic with parking on both sides.  With the improvements completed, the City is officially inaugurating South Second Street between Main Street and Western Avenue as a two-way street with parking on both sides effective Friday, November 13, 2015.  Watertown Police Department and residents on South Second Street between Jefferson Street and Western Avenue have been notified of the two-way traffic designation.