During the Prairie du Chien Common Council's last meeting in December, they approved the Illinois Street project to go out for bidding.

The project will open bids on Jan. 28, with the construction contract awarded on Feb. 3. A public information meeting is scheduled to follow in February or March. Construction will hopefully begin in the spring or early summer of 2026, with construction completed before the end of the year.

"This project has been on the city's radar for a long time," said Matt Muchow, a civil engineer with Vierbicher. "The sewer and water infrastructure are from, I believe, the 40s, so they've served their useful life."

The project, which will cost an estimated $1,975,690, includes the reconstruction of Illinois Street between Webster and Washington streets. Work includes curb and gutter, asphalt pavement, sanitary sewer and laterals, water main and services, and storm sewer.

Prairie du Chien Utility Director Larry Gates said the city wants to replace the service lanes in that area as quickly as possible because many of them go under the railroad tracks, making them difficult to work on when breaks or other problems occur.

The city initially approved resolutions for the project in 2023; however, it took until 2025 to obtain grant funding.

On April 15, the council approved the application for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). 

The CDBG program's purpose is to assist low-to-middle-income (LMI) residents with housing and structural development in their communities. Funding comes from the federal government's Department of Housing and Urban Development.

While the city as a whole does not qualify for the CDBG grant, residents on Illinois Street do.

In April, representatives from the city said Illinois Street had "significant infrastructural problems." Muchow referred to the seven-block portion of Illinois Street as being in "really rough shape," saying the area has experienced numerous water main breaks and sewer backups.

The city pursued funding through the CDBG Public Facilities Program, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Safe Drinking Water Loan Program and the Clean Water Fund Program.

The project received a $1 million grant from the CDBG program and principal forgiveness of approximately $309,000. The council accepted the grant award on Aug. 19.

The WDNR's loan program ($378,000) and the Clean Water Fund ($288,000) will provide the remaining funding for the project.

On Aug. 28, Gov. Tony Evers and Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld visited Prairie du Chien to discuss improvement projects that will be funded by CDBG grants, including Illinois Street.

"This is such an important program for small communities across the state," said Blumenfeld at the time. "We've been traversing the state, meeting with folks and hearing their stories about the meaningful impact these awards and grants are going to have."

"These projects are very important," added Evers. "All of the money from this project goes to the Bagleys, the Soldiers Groves. It's all small municipalities that are getting this."

Earlier this month, Evers and the WDNR announced more than $159 million in additional financial assistance through the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, which will be distributed to 29 municipalities. 

According to Vierbicher, the city will apply for money to help with residential service line replacements on Illinois Street.