Meeting for March 1 closure of Oshkosh’s 9th Avenue interchange

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region office in Green Bay is holding a meeting to discuss the construction schedule for the second phase of the US 41 mainline expansion project between WIS 26 and Witzel Avenue in Winnebago County. The open house meeting is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011 at the Winnebago County Highway Department, 901 West County Road Y, Oshkosh. There will be a brief presentation at 5:15 p.m. A business outreach session is planned from noon to 2 p.m. with a brief presentation at 12:15 p.m.

The $53 million project involves widening US 41 from two to three lanes in each direction and includes the reconstruction of the 9th Avenue interchange. The work is being staged to enhance safety and minimize travel delays. The first phase began in August 2010 as temporary pavement was installed along the median and shoulders of US 41 to maintain two traffic lanes in each direction during 2011 construction.

Beginning March 1, 2011 the following work will start and continue through mid-July 2011:

· Reconstruction and expansion of northbound US 41 to three lanes, from approximately one mile south of WIS 26 to Witzel Avenue. All US 41 traffic will be shifted to the widened southbound lanes (two lanes in each direction)

· Reconstruction of 9th Avenue interchange, including overpass, ramps and construction of multi-lane roundabouts at 9th Avenue intersections at Washburn and Koeller streets

· Reconstruction of WIS 26 and WIS 44 interchange ramps

During this time, 9th Avenue will close between Washburn Street and Koeller Street while the overpass is demolished and rebuilt. The 9th Avenue bridge and northbound US 41 on-and-off ramps reopen in July, but southbound ramps remain closed until November 2011.

Construction scheduled from mid-July 2011 through November 2011 includes:

· Southbound US 41 reconstructed and widened to three lanes. All US 41 traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed northbound lanes (two lanes in each direction).

The public is encouraged to attend, provide input and ask questions about the project. Construction displays and schedule information will be available.

Rep. Hintz to Re-Introduce Small Business Jobs Investment Act

Rep. Hintz to Re-Introduce Small Business Jobs Investment Act
Legislation offers job creation incentives for small businesses

MADISON – Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) announced plans this past week to re-introduce the Small Business Jobs Investment Act, legislation that provides valuable job creation incentives. The same bill passed the State Assembly last session 96-1.

“I am introducing this legislation because we need to use every tool possible to incentivize job creation in our state”, said Rep.Hintz. “Small businesses are the cornerstone to a healthy economy and this bill will lead to job creation. It is one more tool in the arsenal to help put people back to work.”

The Small Business Jobs Investment Act offers a job creation incentive for small businesses of 10 employees or less. Businesses that expand their payroll immediately and create new, full-time, non-seasonal jobs, will receive incentives for those efforts. The more jobs a business creates, the larger the incentive they will receive. That credit can then be used to strengthen and expand their businesses and create more new jobs.

To qualify for the credit, businesses must hire employees who have been out of work for two months or more. Limiting the hiring pool to people who have been out of work the longest will ease the current load services for displaced workers and help families who are hurting the most.

Wisconsin has nearly half a million small businesses that employ more than half of all workers in the state. Small businesses are a major engine of the state’s economy and play a crucial role in helping Wisconsin recover from the nation’s economic downturn.

The Small Business Jobs Investment Act has been circulated to members of the state Senate and Assembly for Co-Sponsorship. Legislators can sign on to sponsor this legislation until January 18th.

“I was hoping that on today’s first day of the new legislative session we would see our new leadership work swiftly and introduce legislation that bolsters our economy and creates jobs”, said Rep. Hintz. “It was disappointing that the first bills introduced by the new majority dealt with issues like repealing same-day voter registration and allowing guns in schools.”

Last session the Small Business Jobs Investment Act bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

“If it was a good bill then, it should be a good bill now”, said Rep. Hintz. “I am proud that Assembly Democrats continue to introduce strong jobs incentive legislation and I look forward to working with the new leadership to build a strong economic agenda.”

Save the Date - Rep. Hintz to hold Office Hours on Thursday January 27, 2011

OSHKOSH– Representative Gordon Hintz will be holding office hours at the Oshkosh Senior Center to discuss issues important to Oshkosh residents. The event is open to the public and those with questions regarding state issues are encouraged to attend.

Anyone with questions or comments is encouraged to contact the office of Representative Hintz toll-free at 888-534-0054 or via e-mail at rep.hintz@legis.state.wi.us.

Who: Representative Gordon Hintz
What: Senior Center-Office Hours
When: Thursday, January 27, 2011 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Oshkosh Area Senior Center - 200 North Campbell Road