Southwest Region construction update

September 5, 2008

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is providing a weekly update on road construction in southwest Wisconsin, which includes the counties of Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, La Crosse, LaFayette, Monroe, Richland, Rock, Sauk and Vernon.

Construction-related traffic impacts exist in the following locations. Closures listed are subject to change and are weather-dependent.

Columbia County

WIS 33
Location: Wisconsin Street to the Canadian Pacific Railroad
Schedule: April 14 - October 1, 2008
Description: Reconstruction
Traffic impact: The detour route heading east on WIS 33 is south on US 51/WIS 16 to east WIS 16, then north on WIS 22 back to WIS 33. The road will be closed until completion. Access will be provided for local traffic within the project limits.

WIS 146
Location: County Z to County A
Schedule: June 21 - early October 2008 (weather permitting)
Description: Reconstruct / pavement rehabilitation
Traffic impact: Roadway closed to through traffic. Signed detour uses WIS 16, US 151, WIS 73, and WIS 33.
Contact: Curt Neuhauser, (608) 219-1331, curt.neuhauser@dot.state.wi.us

I-39
Location: Dane County line - County CS
Schedule: August 5 - October 1, 2008
Description: Rehabilitation, crossover construction
Traffic impact:  Single-lane day closures Monday - Thursday. Two-lane nightime (8 p.m. - 5 a.m.) closures southbound only beginning August 18. There will be no lane closures August 28 - September 2.

Crawford County

US 18
Location: Marquette to Prairie du Chien, Mississippi River Bridge
Schedule: August 2007 - November 17, 2008
Description: Bridge painting and maintenance
Traffic impact: The bridge will be open, but only two lanes will be available with a 12 foot lane restriction.
Contact: Bill Schirm, (608) 326-0445 (field office), william.schirm@dot.state.wi.us

Dane County

I-39
Location: I-90/94 Interchange to County V Interchange
Schedule: March 24 - October 1, 2008
Description: Median concrete barrier wall construction
Traffic impact: All lane closure times listed below are for single lane closures. Between July 7 and August 28, I-39 (northbound and southbound) between US 51 and the I-94 interchanges will have nighttime lane closures only. Northbound lane closures will take place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Southbound lane closures will take place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Between September 2 and September 26, I-39 (northbound and southbound) between US 51 and the I-94 interchanges will have nighttime lane closures. Northbound lane closures will take place between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Southbound lane closures will take place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Between September 2 and September 26, I-39 (northbound and southbound) between the US 51 and County V interchanges will have daytime and nighttime lane closures. All northbound lanes will be open during rush hour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and all southbound lanes will be open during the morning rush hour from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. The times listed are Monday through Friday morning.
Contact: Jim Grender, (608) 288-4100, (608) 712-0533

I-39
Location: Buckeye Road (County AB) overpass – Dane County
Schedule: May 19 - November 12, 2008
Description: Structure replacement
Traffic impact: Buckeye Road (County AB) will be closed during construction. I-39 lane closures will occur between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. during night work. In addition, occasional day lane closures will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on northbound I-39.
Contact: Rick Graber, (608) 222-5240, (608) 279-8676.

WIS 19
Location: I-39 to WI 51
Schedule: May 19 - October 15, 2008
Description: Reconstruction
Traffic impact: Lane closures will take place for both east and west bound traffic. One lane will be open in each direction. Maximum width reduced to 11 feet. Access to all local businesses will be maintained. The southbound US 51 on ramp from WIS 19 will be closed until Wednesday, August 13.  During this ramp closure, traffic should utilize I-39 east bound on ramp or the US 151 ramp near Sun Prairie and I-39 to access southbound US 51.

US 12, Madison Beltline
Location: Rimrock Road/Park Street interchange (west bound off ramps)
Schedule: Rimrock Road,  July 28 - September 9, 2008; Park Street, September 3 - October 31, 2008
Description: Ramp improvements
Traffic impact: There are no anticipated lane closures on the Beltline. There will be restrictions on the ramps and nighttime closures are possible from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights.
Contact: Curt Neuhauser, (608) 219-1331 or Kim Ballweg, (608) 212-5191

US 12/Madison Beltline
Location: Old Sauk Road and Gammon Road interchange (off ramps)
Schedule: August 11 - October 2008
Description: Ramp improvements
Traffic impact: Single lane closures to being on August 28 through October 31, 2008. Single lane closures on eastbound and westbound US 12 between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday.
Contact: Gary Sassman, (608) 246-3859

US 12/Madison Beltline
Location: Stoughton Road Interchange (east and westbound off ramps)
Schedule: September 2 - October 30, 2008
Description: Ramp improvements
Traffic impact: There are no anticipated lane closures on the Beltline. There will be lane restrictions on the ramps and nighttime closures are possible from 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. The week of September 8, lane closures are anticipated each night from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the eastbound off-ramp and on US 51 (Stoughton Road). The eastbound off-ramp to US 51 will be closed from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Contact: Curt Neuhauser, (608) 216-1331 or Kim Ballweg (608) 212-5191

US 12/Madison Beltline
Location: Seminole Highway Interchange
Schedule: September 2 - October 20, 2008
Description: Interchange/intersection improvements
Traffic impact: There are no anticipated lane closures on the Beltline, but the eastbound shoulder will be closed for a few weeks.
Contact: Curt Neuhauser (608) 216-1331 or Kim Ballweg (608) 212-5191

Dodge County

US 151
Location: Union Pacific Railroad to Hemlock Road (7.55 miles)
Schedule: August 18 - November 7, 2008
Description: Bridge and pavement rehabilitation, pavement marking, and placement of high tension cable guard
Traffic impact: One lane in each direction will be open at all times. No weekend closures. Daytime ramp closures between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at County D, County G, and WIS 33 interchanges for a maximum of two days per ramp will be allowed. Drivers will be notified by changeable message board a minimum of three day before ramp closures.
Contact: Jim Buschkopf, (608) 246-3851

WIS 60
Location: Rock River Bridge at Hustisford
Schedule: July 14 - October 5, 2008
Description: Structure replacement
Traffic impact: Bridge will be closed to traffic. WIS 60 traffic to utilize signed detour route via County E, County R, WIS 67, and back to WIS 60.
Contacts: Jamie Grainger, Project Leader, (608) 206-7829 or Teri Schopp, Project Manager, (608) 516-6467, teri.schopp@dot.state.wi.us

Dodge/Jefferson counties

WIS 26
Location: WIS 19 to Union Pacific Railroad.
Schedule: April 28 - November 17, 2008
Description: Reconstruction
Traffic impact: WIS 26 will be closed to through traffic. The signed detour is WIS 19, Co K, Co Q in both directions. Local access will be maintained as much as practical.
Contact: Monty Carlson, Project Leader, (920) 261-3960; or Teri Schopp, Project Manager, (608) 516-6467, teri.schopp@dot.state.wi.us  

Grant County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Green County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Green County/Lafayette, Iowa and Dane counties

WIS 78
Location: Blanchardville – Dane County H
Schedule: Detour will be in place beginning May 16, 2008. Construction estimated to be complete by November 1, 2008. Surface layer of asphalt will be placed next spring and will be completed by May 22, 2009.
Description: Work includes grading, base aggregate, storm sewer and culvert pipes, warranted HMA pavement, curb & gutter, permanent signing and incidentals.
Traffic impact: WIS 78 traffic will be closed to through traffic. Detour route is County F and County A.
Contact: Tara Weiss, (608) 516-1725, tara.weiss@dot.state.wi.us

Iowa County

US 18
Location: US 18 - Bennett Road intersection
Schedule: June 30 - September 30, 2008
Description: Monfort - Dodgeville Road
Traffic impact: US 18 will be closed during construction. A detour will be in place that will use WIS 23 back to US 18.
Contact: Tadd Owens, Project Manager (608) 516-6415, tadd.owens@dot.state.wi.us

Jackson County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Jefferson County

I-94
Location: Airport Road to County Y
Length: 10 miles 
Schedule: July 28 - November 21, 2008
Cost: $19,900,000
Description: Bridge raising,  pavement rehabilitation, pavement marking
Traffic impact: Single lane nighttime only closures; exit and entrance ramps will be open at all times. There could be lane closures in both directions or in a single direction. Between Monday evening and Friday morning, lane closures will occur between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. west of WIS 89 and between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. east of WIS 89. Overnight lane closures between Saturday night and Sunday morning are limited to 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. for eastbound and from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. westbound. Overnight lane closures between Sunday night and Monday morning are limited to 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for eastbound and from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. westbound. Alternate routes are signed and can be used if backups start to occur. It is anticipated that the following road closures for County Q, Ziebel Road, County N will occur in order to raise the bridges over I-94: August 4 to 18, 2008 County Q Overpass; August 18 to 29, 2008 County N Overpass; September 4 to 16, 2008 Ziebel Road Overpass. Please read signs and slow down in construction zones.
Contact: Jim Buschkopf, (608) 246-3851, james.buschkopf@dot.state.wi.us

Milwaukee Street Bridge
Location: City of Watertown, Rock River
Schedule: February - September 2008
Description: Bridge replacement
Traffic impact: A detour route will be posted. Milwaukee Street within the project limits will be closed to through traffic.
Contact: Mike Bie, Regional Communications Manager, (608) 246-7928, michael.bie@dot.state.wi.us

US 18/Racine Street
Location: Kranz Avenue to Crawfish River
Schedule: March 10 - October 17, 2008
Description: Reconstruction
Traffic impact: A detour route will be posted. East Racine Street is detoured utilizing County Y and WIS 26. The road will be open to local traffic. Expect daytime closures. West Racine Street (Marshall Ave to Crawfish River) will be detoured via County W and WIS 89 beginning Monday, April 28, 2008. It will remain open to local traffic only.
Contact: Jeff Kaarto, (608) 516-6445, jeffrey.kaarto@dot.state.wi.us

US 12 to Lake Mills Road (County A )
Location: County A between US 18 and London Road
Schedule: June 2 -September 2008
Description: Reconstruction
Traffic impact: County A will be closed to through traffic during construction. The detour route is US 18, County G and WIS 89.
Contact: Joe Jirsa, (608) 354-2348

County A
Location: From US 18 to London Road
Schedule: Expected completion date of September 26, 2008
Description: Reconstruction of County A from US 18 to London Road
Traffic impact: Road closed to through traffic on June 3, 2008.  Posted detour posted along US 18, County G and WIS 89.
Contact: Joe Jirsa, Project Engineer, Donohue & Associates, (608) 354-2348, (920) 648-4314,  jjirsa@donohue-associates.com.

Juneau County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

La Crosse County

WIS 35 (West Avenue)
Location: Green Bay Street to Jackson Street, city of La Crosse
Schedule: March 17 - November 2008
Description: Reconstruction
Traffic impact: The remainder of northbound West Avenue is expected to be done the middle of the week. Closure of the east side of State Street will take place on Monday, September 8. The closure will last approximately one week. Pedestrian traffic is restricted at this intersection. Please use the two designated crosswalks at Badger Street and Pine Street. Work on the east side of Main Street will be done under traffic beginning the week of September 15.
Contact: Dale Merten, Project Leader, (608) 386-3192, dale.merten@dot.state.wi.us

US 53
Location: I-90 Interchange to the end of the 4-lane section north of Holmen (10.5 miles)
Schedule: August 4 - September 15, 2008
Description: Installation of high tension cable barrier system in the median and upgrading beamguard
Traffic impact: The northbound left lane will be closed 3 miles at a time during the week, along with various small closures in the areas that the beamguard ends are being up graded. These small lane closures will be on both the northbound and southbound lanes. The lanes will only be closed during work operations.
Contact: Josh Blum, (608) 792-1868

LaFayette County

WIS 23
Location: WIS 11 – Darlington Road
Schedule: August 18 - late October
Description: Bridge replacement
Traffic impact:  Road closed with a detour that uses WIS 80 and WIS 81
Contact: Tadd J. Owens, Project Manager, (608) 516-6415, tadd.owens@dot.state.wi.us

Jackson/Monroe counties

I-94
Location: Eastbound I-94 in Black River Falls - Tomah
Schedule: July - September 2008
Length: 8.9 miles
Description: Dowel bar retrofit and concrete repair
Traffic impact: Intermittent weekday (6 a.m. Monday to 10 a.m. Friday) single lane closures.
Contact: Chris Dahl, (608) 792-5809

Monroe County

WIS 21
Location: Water Street, city of Sparta, from WIS 16 to Montgomery Street
Description: Reconstruction / bridge deck replacement
Schedule: April 10 – mid-September 2008
Traffic impact: Road closed with detour: WIS 16 to WIS 27 N to Montgomery Street
Contact: Joe Langeberg, Project Leader, field office (608) 269-0760,  joseph.langeberg@dot.state.wi.us

US 12
Location: Superior Avenue to County CA
Schedule: May 1 - October 1, 2008
Description: Pavement replacement
Traffic impact: Construction of the westbound lanes of US 12 has begun. Traffic has been shifted onto the eastbound lanes. Reconstruction of the Superior Avenue and US 12 intersection has also begun. Traffic control will change daily as the construction of the intersection progresses.
Contact: Mike Olson, (715) 323-0312

Richland County

WIS 56
Location: Viola to County G - 0.07 miles east of WIS 131 easterly to 0.12 miles east of River Road
Schedule: April 30, 2008 - September 30, 2008
Description: Bridge replacement with plus or minus one mile of grading.
Traffic impact:  Traffic will be intermittently down to one lane with flagging operations.
Contact: Steve Vetsch, Project Leader, (608) 792-5719, (608) 627-1732, stephan.vetsch@dot.state.wi.us

US 14/WIS 171
Location: 1,500 feet in each direction of the intersection
Description: The project will widen the bridge on US 14 and add medians and turn lanes for the intersection near Boaz.
Schedule: July 28 - November 7, 2008
Traffic impact: US 14 / WIS 171 will remain open during construction with occasional temporary lane closures.
Contact: Aaron Palmer, (608) 604-8696

Rock County

US 14
Location: County O to WIS 89
Schedule: August 4 - October 2008
Description: Resurfacing
Traffic impact: Local access only. Detour route is I-43.
Contact: Barb Gassen, (608) 242-8010

Sauk County

US 12
Location: Lake Delton to Baraboo
Schedule: March 31 - October 17, 2008
Description: Pavement reconstruction.
Traffic impact: US 12 will be open to traffic during construction; however delays may occur near the intersections of WIS 33 and North Reedsburg Road due to restricted left turning movements and temporary traffic signals. US 12 will fall under the Memorial Day work restrictions and the contractor will be off the roadway by noon on Friday, May 23 and won't start back up until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27.
Contact: John Maxwell, (608) 355-0180, (608) 963-4539

WIS 136
Location: Rock Springs - Baraboo Rd (Rock Springs - County PF)
Schedule: May 14 - October 29, 2008
Description: Reconstruction
Traffic impact: WIS 136 and 154 closed to through traffic in each direction. The detour route for WIS 136 will utilize WIS 33 and US12. The detour route for WIS 154 traffic will utilize US 12, County W and DD. The roadway will be open to local traffic, and access to businesses will be maintained.
Contact: Craig Pringle, Project Leader, (608) 576-1192, craig.pringle@dot.state.wi.us

Vernon County

WIS 56
Location: Intersection of US 14/61and E. Decker Street easterly to intersection of WIS 56 and Mahoney Road
Schedule: April 23 - October 18, 2008
Description: Pavement replacement, utilities and storm sewer.
Traffic impact: Road closed, east/west traffic will be detoured on to East South Street from US 14/61 and WIS 56. West Parkinson and West Broadway between Rock Avenue and Main Street will be closed to traffic this week.
Contact: Tom Oldenburg, (608) 386-0984, (608) 637-9004, thomas.oldenburg@dot.state.wi.us

Walworth County

US 14 (Village of Darien) and Madison Street
Location: Madison Street southeast to County X and Madison Street from Foundry Road east to US 14
Schedule: US 14 – Closed with detour - September 9 2008 until December 5 2008. Madison Street – Reopen to all traffic September 4, 2008.
Description: Reconstruction and drainage improvements 
Traffic impact: US 14 will be closed to through traffic during the construction window only. There will be a marked detour route. Access will be provided to all driveways.
Contact: Lance Wagner, R.H. Batterman Company, (262) 882-5500, lwagner@rhbatterman.com

Motorists should slow down, use caution and stay alert when driving through construction zones. To avoid delays, consider taking an alternative route and avoid peak travel periods. Before leaving home, check the following sources for information about work zones and detours:

• Call 1-800-ROAD-WIS (762-3947) for statewide road construction information.
• Visit the WisDOT Web site for statewide driving conditions and other travel-related information. Updates on the Marquette Interchange Project in Milwaukee are available at www.mchange.org.
• For a free copy of "Travel Easy," showing the state's largest construction projects, call (800) 242-2514 or email a request to opa.exec@dot.state.wi.us. 

For more information, contact:
Lois Losby, WisDOT Southwest Region
(608) 785-9958, lois.losby@dot.state.wi.us