Southeast Region weekly construction update

November 20, 2009

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is providing a weekly update on road construction in Southeast Wisconsin, which includes the counties of Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha.

Construction-related traffic impact exists in the locations listed below. Closures listed are subject to change and are weather-dependent. 

Kenosha County

WIS 31 (Green Bay Road)
Location: WIS 50 (75th Street) intersection, WIS 158 (52nd Street) intersection and 45th Street intersection
Schedule: July 27 - Nov. 25, 2009
Length: 0.62 miles
Cost: $1.9 million
Type of work: Convert the WIS 31 existing two through-lanes with mandatory right-turn only lanes at its WIS 50 and WIS 158 intersections to three continuous northbound and southbound through-lanes. Reconfigure the existing WIS 31 left-turn lanes at these intersections and at other nearby median openings for reducing collisions. Project improvements include:

• Replace existing traffic signals with temporary and new permanent signals at the WIS 50 and WIS 158 intersections.
• Install a new traffic signal at the 45th Street intersection.
• Modify existing storm sewer system.
• Extend and reconfigure turn lanes within the existing highway right-of-way.
• New signing/striping.

Traffic impact: All intersection approaches will remain open to traffic during construction.

• October - November: The three northbound and southbound WIS 31 lanes will remain reduced at two lanes for median work in the vicinities of the three intersections. The intersections’ new right-turn lanes will remain open to traffic. Left-turn lanes must be shortened temporarily while existing left-turn lanes and WIS 31 median areas are reconstructed. The WIS 50 eastbound and westbound approaches to the WIS 31 intersection will be reduced to one lane during the day on Wednesday, Nov. 18 for some minor resurfacing.
  • The WIS 158 westbound departure from the WIS 31 intersection will be reduced to one lane during the day on Wednesday, Nov. 18 for some minor resurfacing.
  • New traffic signals are anticipated to be functioning at each of these three intersections by Wednesday, Nov. 25. 

WIS 50 (75th Street)
Location: Intersection of County B
Schedule: July 20 - Dec. 4, 2009
Length: 0.24 miles
Cost: $1.7 million
Type of work: Project improvements include:

• Improved left turn lanes on both WIS 50 and County B.
• Traffic signal and intersection lighting.
• Pavement markings and traffic signs.

Traffic impact: WIS 50 will be open to traffic during construction. One lane of traffic in each direction will be kept open at all times.

• September - November: Right lanes on WIS 50 will be closed. County B will be closed to all traffic south of WIS 50. County B between WIS 50 and 73rd Place will be closed to all traffic. Access to County B north of WIS 50 will be from County K.

Milwaukee County

  Up-to-date lane and ramp closures on the Milwaukee-area freeway system

WIS 241 (S. 27th Street)
Location: Drexel Avenue to south Milwaukee County line 
Schedule: July 27 - Nov. 22, 2009
Length: 3.91 miles
Cost: $4,398,011
Type of work: Mill and resurface S. 27th Street. Apply a thin epoxy overlay on bridge over the Root River. Improvements to signal loops at W. Puetz Road and W. Ryan Road. Driveway and median opening removals will occur for safety improvements. New signing and beam guard end treatments.
Traffic impact: The roadway will remain open during construction; however, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

WIS 24 (Forest Home Avenue)
Location: US 45 to 45th Street 
Schedule: June 22 - Dec. 16, 2009 and May 1 - June 25, 2010
Length: 5.3 miles
Cost: $14,755,162
Type of work: Mill and resurface Forest Home Avenue. Replace the seven existing signals with new signals; minor intersection upgrades to turn lanes. Overlay the Root River bridge and Honey Creek bridge. Re-deck the three structures over I-894/I-43.
Traffic impact: Forest Home Avenue should have all lanes open by Nov. 25. Signal work will continue until Dec. 16. The project will then be suspended for the winter. Next year, the steel girders on the bridges over I-894 will be painted and the sidewalk finished, along with landscaping and incidentals. The project is scheduled to be complete by June 25, 2010, as required by the contract.

WIS 24
Location: West Forest Home Avenue Bridge (over the KK River)
Schedule: Late May - Nov. 25, 2009
Length: 1.76 miles
Cost: $2.1 million
Type of work: Bridge replacement
Traffic impact: Two-way traffic in each direction will be opened during construction.

US 45
Location: Hampton Avenue over US 45 
Schedule: Aug. 17 - Dec. 3, 2009
Length: Under one mile
Cost: $1,325,866
Type of work: Painting and overlay of bridge on Hampton Avenue over US 45. Traffic signal replacement at northbound US 45 ramps and Hampton Avenue.  
Traffic impact:

• Hampton Avenue single lane closure for duration of project.
• Northbound off-ramp from US 45 left-turn lanes will be reduced to one lane for duration of project.
• US 45 single lane closure allowed 8 to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 6 to 9 a.m., Saturday through Sunday.
• US 45 two lane closure allowed, 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., Friday through Saturday.

WIS 100 (Brown Deer Road)
Location: WIS 57 (Green Bay Road) - I-43
Schedule: April 6 - Nov. 24, 2009
Length: 2.02 miles
Cost: $5.7 million
Type of work: Remove and reconstruct existing concrete pavement. This reconstructed six-lane highway will include new on-road bike accommodations along its outside lanes in both directions. Project improvements include:

• Replacing existing traffic signals with temporary and new permanent signals at the Kildeer Court and Range Line Road intersections.
• Modifying existing storm sewer system.
• Reconfiguring turn lanes within the existing highway right-of-way.
• Adding decorative pavement and sidewalks at the Kildeer Court intersection.
• Installing new freeway traffic monitoring equipment at the I-43/Brown Deer Road interchange.
• New signing/striping.
• Temporary paving along WIS 100 at the I-43 interchange, as preparation for interchange reconstruction beginning in February 2011.

Traffic impact: WIS 100 will remain open to two-way traffic between WIS 57 and I-43 during construction, but motorists are advised to seek alternative routes. All two-way traffic will be directed onto one side of WIS 100 while its other side is reconstructed. Eastbound and westbound WIS 100 traffic will each have one lane with left turns accommodated in a middle lane at intersections. WIS 100 will continue to accommodate trucks during construction. Cross-streets will remain open to traffic with short-term intermittent closures at WIS 100 intersections when required. Message board signs will announce these short-term closures in advance.

• November: Traffic is returned to the WIS 100 eastbound and westbound lanes with one lane open to traffic in each direction. Complete landscaping, installation of new traffic signs and replacement of traffic signals at the Kildeer Court and Range Line Road intersections by Tuesday, Nov. 24.

WIS 38 (Chase Avenue)
Location: East Howard Avenue to East Ohio Avenue
Schedule: June - Nov. 25, 2009
Length: One mile
Cost: $2 million
Type of work: Pavement removal, grading, concrete pavement, sewer structures, concrete curb and gutter, sidewalk and pavement marking.
Traffic impact: Two-way traffic in each direction will be open during construction.

Ozaukee County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Racine County

WIS 11 (Durand Avenue)
Location: Union Pacific Railroad structure and retaining wall replacement at WIS 32 (Sheridan Road) in the village of Mount Pleasant.
Schedule: May 2008 - Dec. 9, 2009
Length: 0.14 miles
Cost: $7 million
Type of work: Construct new railroad bridge and retaining walls over WIS 11 west of WIS 32.
Traffic impact: WIS 11 is closed from S. Memorial Drive to WIS 32. Signed detours on Chicory and DeKoven to S. Memorial Drive. WIS 32 (Sheridan Road) is open to traffic.

WIS 38 (Northwestern Avenue)
Location: Golf Avenue to Rapids Drive
Schedule: May 2009 - Nov. 24, 2009
Length: 0.443 miles
Cost: $700,000
Type of work: Milling and overlaying pavement; replacing some curb and gutter, sidewalk and beam guard; installing new lighting; and landscaping any disturbed areas.
Traffic impact: WIS 38 will be constructed in two stages under traffic. A signal lane of traffic is being maintained in both directions on WIS 38. 
In the first stage, the southbound Golf Avenue to eastbound WIS 38 movement will not be allowed. A detour will be posted using Rapids Drive. Traffic will be on existing outer lanes while the inner lanes are constructed. 
In the second stage, there will be no access to or from the Golf Avenue intersection. A detour will be posted using Rapids Drive. Traffic will be on the newly constructed inner lanes while the outer lanes are constructed.

Walworth County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Washington County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Waukesha County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

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:

• Dial 511 or visit the 511 Web page for incident reports, lane closures, work zones, winter road conditions and roadside services.
• For a free copy of "Travel Easy," showing the state's largest construction projects, call (800) 242-2514 or e-mail a request to opa.exec@dot.wi.gov. 

For more information, contact: 
Dennis Shook, WisDOT Southeast Region Communications Manager
(414) 750-2395, dennis.shook@dot.wi.gov