Highway 35 project complete - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

ONALASKA, WI (WXOW)—The City of Onalaska held a ribbon cutting ceremony today for the Highway 35 project in Onalaska.

Plans for the highway have been in the works since 2004.

Even though the project is done about a month early, business owners are glad the road is open again.

Restaurant owner Mary Cody said this summer was hard on her businesses, Maggie's and Traditions.

They used the road closure as an opportunity to close and remodel Traditions, but at Maggie's she said business was down 40-percent at times.

"People tend to stay away from road construction, say ‘Oh I'm going the other way,'" Cody said. "However, the towns people were gracious and all of us tried to support each other during the project."

Among the things to come now that the Onalaska Highway 35 project is complete will be the Great River Landing.

It's a ten year plan, but phase one of the project will begin this Spring and will include a cultural tourism center.

Click here to see details about Great River Landing plans.