Be thankful: Highway construction projects wrapping up

November 20, 2007

Heaviest traffic expected Sunday, Nov. 25

Highway construction projects are wrapping up across the state, just in time for the start of the holiday, and winter, seasons. Thanksgiving and deer-hunting motorists will find only a few areas where orange barrels and lane restrictions will affect their travels.

"We worked very hard to keep our contracts on schedule," Bureau of Project Development Director Don Miller said. "We had some challenges, including August's heavy rains in the southern part of the state, but for the most part, travelers should have clear sailing to grandma's house this Thanksgiving."

Miller noted a few projects that may affect travelers, including Milwaukee's downtown Marquette Interchange, where there will be some ramp closures; US 51/WIS 29 construction in Wausau; the Burlington Bypass, which has cross-traffic road closures at Brever and Ketterhagen roads; the WIS 310/Madison St. Bridge in Two Rivers, which is closed; and WIS 60 between WIS 80 and WIS 193, which is closed with a short detour via WIS 80 and WIS 193.

Information on Wisconsin's work zones is available on WisDOT's Web site: www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel, while specific information about the Marquette Interchange is available at www.mchange.org and at 1-888-468-0037.

While construction may be minimal, traffic is expected to be at a seasonal peak through the Thanksgiving weekend.

"We expect heavy traffic several times over the upcoming deer hunting and Thanksgiving holiday period," Bureau of Transportation Safety Director Major Dan Lonsdorf said. "We expect significant traffic on Wednesday, November 21 and Sunday, November 25. Sunday's (11/25) traffic should be heaviest as deer hunters and Thanksgiving travelers return home on the same day."

"We'll do everything we can to make this a safe holiday season," Lonsdorf said. He added that traffic crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday last year claimed 14 lives, making it the deadliest Thanksgiving since 1993.

Major Lonsdorf noted that State Patrol officers and local law enforcement agencies will be participating in Operation CARE - Combined Accident Reduction Effort, during the Thanksgiving holiday. The campaign focuses on getting people to wear their safety belts, obey speed limits, and drive sober. "If you're stopped for a traffic violation and the officer sees you're not wearing your safety belt, you will get a ticket," Major Lonsdorf said. "We want everyone to make it home safely and seat belts are among the simplest ways to make that happen."

For more information, contact:
Don Miller, director, Bureau of Project Development
(608) 266-3707, donald.miller@dot.state.wi.us

Major Dan Lonsdorf, director, Bureau of Transportation Safety
(608) 266-3048, daniel.lonsdorf@dot.state.wi.us