Southwest region construction update

May 16, 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.

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: Portage Road overpass
Schedule: March 3, 2008 - August 1, 2008
Description: Structure replacement
Traffic Impact: Portage Road will be closed during construction. I-39 lane closures will occur between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. during night work. In addition, occasional day lane closures will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on northbound I-39 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on southbound I-39.
Contact: Chad Raschein, (608) 846-2116 or (608) 225-1364

US 151, East Washington Avenue
   East Washington Avenue reconstruction project 
Location: Second Street to Marquette Street
Schedule: April 14 - June, 2008
Description: Finish work on East Washington Avenue scheduled to begin April 14, and be completed in early June. Completion of pedestrian bridge, bike path, median construction, landscaping, and pavement marking will occur.
Traffic Impact: North Street will be closed at 6 a.m. on Monday, May 12th, and will re-open later that day. Off-peak lane closures will continue over the next couple of weeks as the contractor continues to landscape the median, and as the final pavement marking is placed.
Contact: Rob Phillips, City of Madison, (608) 266-4090 or Curt Neuhauser, WisDOT, (608) 245-2676, curt.neuhauser@dot.state.wi.us

I-39
Location: I-90/94 Interchange to County V Interchange
Schedule: March 24 - November 1, 2008
Description: Median concrete barrier wall construction
Traffic Impact: Between March 24 and May 23, I-39 between the US 51 and County V interchange will have daily lane closures (Monday thru Thursday). The southbound lanes will be open from 6 to 9 a.m. and the northbound lanes will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. Single lane closures will take place during all other hours of the day. I-39 (north and south bound) between US 51 and I 94 interchanges will have nighttime lane closures (only) between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Contact: Jim Grender, (608) 288-4100 or (608) 712-0533

US 151 Sun Prairie Bypass
Location: Main Street to County VV North – 7 miles
Schedule: April 21 - June 28, 2008
Description: Construction of high tension cable guard in the median of US 151
Traffic Impact: Single lane closures in each direction during off-peak traffic hours
Contact: Janice Bennett, (608) 242-8038, janice.bennett@dot.state.wi.us

I-39
Location: Buckeye Road (County AB) overpass – Dane County
Description: Structure replacement
Schedule: May 19, 2008 to November 12, 2008
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 or (608) 279-8676. 

Dodge County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

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
Description: Work includes grading, base aggregate, storm sewer and culvert pipes, warranted HMA pavement, curb & gutter, permanent signing and incidentals.
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.
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 151/US 18
Location: Dodgeville bypass to the east end of Barneveld
Description: Structure rehabilitation
Schedule: April 29, 2008 to mid-August 2008  This is a 70 working day contract so the end date is only an estimate.
Traffic Impact: The project will utilize a cross over with bi-directional traffic for the deck replacement and will utilize several lane closures for the work on the overlay and the wing wall replacement.
Contact: Tadd Owens, Project Manager, (608) 516-6415, tadd.owens@dot.state.wi.us or Jesse Schreiner, Project Leader, (608) 347-1355.

Jackson County

US 10
Location: Osseo to Fairchild Road, 0.5 miles east of US 12/WIS 27 intersection
Schedule: The project is scheduled for completion during Summer 2008.
Description: Bridge replacement
Traffic Impact: Roadway will remain open to traffic during construction.
Contact: Travis Geise, (608) 785-9070 or (608) 386-3023

Jefferson County

County E Overpass
Location: Milwaukee Street Bridge and approaches, City of Watertown (Rock River Bridge)
Schedule: The project is scheduled for completion on May 23, 2008.
Description: Bridge replacement
Traffic Impact: The County E overpass will be closed during construction and County E traffic will be detoured onto County P and County B. There will be night closures of I-94, as needed, Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Contact: Jamie Grainger, (608) 206-7829, jamie.grainger@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: Jim Grender, (608) 288-4100 or (608) 712-0533

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. 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

WIS 89
Location: WIS 19 to northern county line
Schedule: March 17 - August 28, 2008
Description: Reconstruction
Traffic Impact: The road will be closed during construction. The posted detour will follow WIS 19 to WIS 73 and back to WIS 89 for northbound traffic and the reverse for southbound traffic. Weather permitting, Porter Street will be closed beginning Tuesday, April 22, 2008 to complete work on the intersection. Dickenson and Henry Streets will be open.
Contact: Karla Knorr, Project Leader, (608) 516-6507, karla.knorr@dot.state.wi.us

Juneau County

WIS 58 Overpass and I-90/94
Location: WIS 58 overpass and approaches
Schedule: March 3 - the end of May 2008
Description: Deck replacement
Traffic Impact: WIS 58 will be closed to through traffic during construction. Traffic on WIS 58 will have the following detour: From the south, northbound WIS 58 traffic will follow WIS 82 east from the intersection of WIS 58/82 to I-90/94 north, to WIS 80 north (exit 61), back to WIS 58. Lane closures on I-90/94 will be required and will occur between the hours of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday. There will be no lane closure operations between 7 a.m. Friday through 7 p.m. the following Monday. A minimum of one full-width lane of traffic will be maintained on I-90/94 in both directions at all times during lane closures.
Contact: John Collins, (608) 792-0761, john.collins@dot.state.wi.us

County N (Cemetery Road) and I-90/94
Location: County N overpass and approaches and Cemetery Road overpass and approaches
Schedule: March 3 - the end of August 2008
Description: Two deck replacement and one concrete overlay
Traffic Impact: County N East and County N West will be closed at each site to through traffic during construction. A detour route for both segments will be signed and maintained by the Juneau County Highway Department. Cemetery Road will be closed at the site to through traffic during construction. A detour route will not be posted. Through traffic will be maintained at all times in the west and south directions at the intersection of Cemetery Road and 21st Avenue. Construction will be phased so that all three-bridge sites are not closed at the same time. The County N West Bridge and Cemetery Road Bridge will be allowed to be closed at the same time. All lane closures on I-90/94 shall occur between the hours of 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday. There will be no lane closure operations between 7 a.m. Friday through 7 p.m. the following Monday. A minimum of one full-width of traffic shall be maintained on I-90/94 in both directions at all times during lane closures.
Contact: John Collins, (608) 792-0761, john.collins@dot.state.wi.us

La Crosse County

WIS 35 (West Avenue)
Location: Green Bay Street to Jackson Street, city of La Crosse
Description: Reconstruction
Schedule: March 17 - May 31, 2008
Traffic Impact: Removals of old roadway and sidewalk have been completed from Jackson to La Crosse along the west side of roadway. Underground work and grading is continuing from Jackson to La Crosse Street. Plans are to pave new concrete from Jackson to Cass either May 16 or May 19. Construction continues from Jackson Street to La Crosse Street. Traffic on West Avenue (WIS 35) will be open to two-way traffic between Jackson Street (WIS 33) and La Crosse Street (WIS 16). The signalized intersections of Jackson, Market, Cass and Main Streets may be closed for short durations during construction. The following intersections with West Avenue will be closed to traffic during construction: Mississippi, Winnebago, Ferry, Division, Madison, Cameron, King, Vine, Pine and Badger. Traffic will utilize the eastern existing two lanes of West Avenue so the west side of West Avenue can be constructed. Left turn bays will be provided at Jackson, Market (northbound only), Cass and Main Streets.
Contact: Dale Merten, Project Leader, (608) 386-3192, dale.merten@dot.state.wi.us

LaFayette County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Monroe County

County PP bridge at I-90/94
Location: WIS 21 interchange to County PP interchange bridge, Village of Oakdale
Schedule: February 18 - the end of June 2008
Description: Bridge rehabilitation including approaches and ramp work
Traffic Impact: I-90/94 single lane weekday closures will take place from March to the end of May. There may be possible I-90/94 single lane nighttime closures from the end of May to the end of June. Weekday nighttime detouring of I-90/94 mainline traffic onto interchange ramp roadways for deck removals and installation of steel beams will take place. County PP will be closed during structure and approach work.
Contact: Brad Byom, Project Leader, (608) 792-5099, brad.byom@dot.state.wi.us

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 North to Montgomery Street
Contact: Joe Langeberg, Project Leader, Field Office: (608) 269-0760,  joseph.langeberg@dot.state.wi.us

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
Description: Bridge replacement with plus or minus one mile of grading.
Schedule: April 30, 2008 - September 30, 2008
Traffic Impact:  Traffic will be intermittently down to one lane with flagging operations.
Contact: Steve Vetsch, Project Leader, (608) 792-5719 or (608) 627-1732, stephan.vetsch@dot.state.wi.us

WIS 80
Location: Rockbridge to County I
Description: Bridge overlay and approach work
Schedule: May 19, 2008 to June 23, 2008
Traffic Impact: Traffic will be limited to one lane with a 14 foot maximum width, light controlled.
Contact: Doreen McCarty, Project leader (608) 792-1736;  doreen.mccarty@dot.state.wi.us

Rock County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Sauk County

WIS 23
Location: Intersection of County P and US 12
Schedule: March 24 - June 30, 2008
Description: Reconstruction
Traffic Impact: WIS 23 will be closed to through traffic in each direction. The detour route for WIS 23 through traffic will utilize US 12 and I-90/94. The roadway will be open to local traffic, and access to businesses will be maintained. Contact: Jim Buschkopf, Project Manager, (608) 246-3851, james.buschkopf@dot.state.wi.us

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.
Contact: John Maxwell, (608) 355-0180 or (608) 963-4539

WIS 136
Location: Rock Springs - Baraboo Rd (Rock Springs - County PF)
Description: Reconstruction
Schedule: May 14, 2008 to October 29, 2008
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 or craig.pringle@dot.state.wi.us

WIS 33
Location: Village of LaValle from Pine Street to Main Street
Description: Reconstruction including the placement of storm sewer, water main and sanitary sewer.
Schedule: May 27, 2008
Traffic Impact: Detour will not be in place until after Memorial Day. Intermittent flagging operation will take place on WIS 33. 
Contact: Tadd Owens, Project Manager (608) 516-6451 or Jamie Brandt, Project Leader  (608) 963-6462

Vernon County

WIS 56
Location: Intersection of US 14/61and E. Decker Street easterly to intersection of WIS 56 and Mahoney Road
Schedule: Start Date: 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.
Contact: Tom Oldenburg, Cell (608) 386-0984, Field Office (608) 637-9004, thomas.oldenburg@dot.state.wi.us

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