Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Altoona public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
8 issues in roads
Pavement preservation and street maintenance
Final asphalt is going down on the Vernon/Alsace/Lowry/Hamilton streets and Third Street East, possibly running into Saturday.
2026 Street Reconstruction Special Assessments
Final asphalt is going down on the Vernon/Alsace/Lowry/Hamilton streets and Third Street East, possibly running into Saturday.
Third Street East paving project delayed
The mill-and-overlay of Third Street East from Bartlett Avenue to Highway 12, planned for June 29-30, got pushed back because the contractor's milling machine is running behind on another job. Watch for new dates.
Street construction projects update
Final asphalt is going down on the Vernon/Alsace/Lowry/Hamilton streets and Third Street East, possibly running into Saturday.
Spooner Avenue Pedestrian Bridge replacement
The deteriorating bridge is down to a 5-ton load limit; an 80/20 TAP grant covers most construction, with the city budgeting $100K in 2027, $100K in 2028, and $178K in 2029.
Major grants for Spooner Avenue and footbridge
Public Works landed a $5.2 million grant for Spooner Avenue (80% of construction) plus another $700K+ for a footbridge in the Spooner Avenue dip — big wins for the city.
Regional transportation safety and Claremont Avenue crashes
The MPO's new director presented crash heat maps showing Claremont Avenue and Hwy 12/53 as Altoona's worst crash spots, and plans a working group with WisDOT on low-cost safety fixes. A state Hwy 53 corridor study is also getting underway.
Regional transportation planning support from WCWRPC/MPO
The region's MPO offers Altoona free planning help — grant writing, bike and pedestrian plans, trail design, and crash data. The new long-range transportation plan shows residents' top priority is reducing crashes, and regional data flagged speeding's effect on home values.