Photo: Downtown Eau Claire Inc.

Well, that was fast. Construction on South Barstow Street is slated to be finished 10 days early – and that’s good news for residents, businesses, and the contractors. Downtown Eau Claire Inc. announced July 25 that the contractor, Haas Sons Inc., was aiming to get major work finished by Aug. 6 instead of Aug. 16, as was originally scheduled. Under the terms of their contract with the city, Haas Sons is slated to receive a cool $5,000 for each calendar day before Aug. 16 it is finished (up to a maximum of 10 days). Work began on the $1.65 million paving and prettifying project on May 28. By Aug. 6, the five-block stretch of Eau Claire’s downtown main drag should be open to vehicles, with sidewalks finished and clay brick pavers installed in crosswalks, deputy city engineer Doug Derks said in a press release. After that, workers will still be working to install lighting, clay brick pavers, and plantings – but the street (and sidewalk) will be open for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. To celebrate the project’s impending completion, Downtown Eau Claire Inc. will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tentatively scheduled for noon on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the corner of South Barstow Street and East Grand Avenue. So get out the comically large scissors and say hello again to downtown Eau Claire.