
“It truly has a strong tradition and strong roots. Every citizen of Manitowoc loves Waldo Boulevard going east to west and west to east.”
Those words from Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels, one of many dignitaries on hand to cut the ribbon signifying the completion of all major construction of Waldo Boulevard.
The two-year project was split into two contracts. In 2019 urban reconstruction was done from 14th street to Maritime Drive while this year reconstruction and resurfacing from County Highway R to 14th Street began in March and was literally completed yesterday.
Colleen Harris is Director of the Northeast Wisconsin Office of the State Department of Transportation, and she thanked everyone involved in the project. “While we stand here and admire our rebuilt highway, we need to remember that projects like this just don’t happen overnight,” she explained. “Through the initial study, then the design and construction, we have teamed with your city leaders, property owners, local utilities, Manitowoc Public Works, the Wisconsin Historical Society, and the public to make sure your wishes were reflected in this $26 million investment in your community.”
State Department of Transportation Designee Craig Thompson was also on hand. He addressed the small crowd saying, “For many years, Waldo Boulevard has been the major east-west artery for the city north of the Manitowoc River. It carries traffic from the farms and villages west right to the shores of Lake Michigan, connects with the three major streets leading across the river to downtown, and to Highway 42 leading north to Two Rivers. If you live on the north side and need to get anywhere in town, chances are you will spend a part of your trip on Wal do Boulevard. It’s easy to see from here how Waldo Boulevard ties Manitowoc together economically, as well as culturally.”
25th Assembly District Representative Paul Tittl spoke on the historical significance of Manitowoc’s Main thoroughfare named after a native who lost his life in 1862 in the Civil War.
“Just after sunrise on April 6th, the Company heard gunfire and was brought into the battle of Shiloh.” Tittle said. “During that battle, George Waldo was hit in the chest. He died later that day on a Tennessee hillside, less than a year after he enlisted. Well, this one’s for your George.”
The project finished on time and came in about $800 thousand under budget. Some minor landscaping and clean-up work remains but won’t impact traffic.