Construction update for US 2 in the City of Ashland

May 2, 2008

Highway: US 2, Lake Shore Drive
Location: Beaser Avenue—Stuntz Avenue, City of Ashland
Date: April 30, 2008
Cost: $11,090,837
Description: Reconstruct
Traffic Impact: Varies (see notes below) 

In work unrelated to this project, the existing at-grade railroad crossing on US 2 near Stuntz Avenue is scheduled for removal on Friday, May 2nd. Removal of the railroad crossing will require US 2 to be closed for both eastbound and westbound traffic from 9th Avenue East to 5th Avenue East. A temporary detour will be in place at 7 a.m. on May 2 until the railroad crossing is removed. The anticipated temporary detour is scheduled for one day only.

Westbound traffic on US 2 will be detoured at 9th Avenue East, north to St. Claire, west to Willis Avenue, south on Willis Avenue to US 2.  Eastbound traffic on USH2 will be detoured at 5th Avenue East, south to Main Street, east on Main Street, north on Stuntz Avenue to US 2.

Work completed since last update:

The contractor completed the temporary widening on the north side of the road, which will shift traffic into the westbound lanes. The temporary widening took a little longer than expected due to wet weather and soil conditions.

Anticipated work schedule for the week of May 5th:

The contractor will begin removing the existing pavement in the eastbound lanes. First, a milling machine will remove the existing asphaltic pavement. Then, the underlying concrete pavement will be removed behind the milling operation. After the concrete pavement is removed, the contractor will begin sanitary and storm sewer work. One crew will begin working near the Stuntz Avenue intersection and proceed west toward Ellis Avenue. Another crew will begin working in the area of the proposed pedestrian underpass at 6th Avenue West and proceed west toward Beaser Avenue.

Utility crews will also begin working next week on some preliminary adjustments and/or relocations of gas and electric facilities.

Again, the alternate route on Beaser Avenue, 6th Street, and Stuntz Avenue will not be fully functional for a week or so due to a slight delay in the temporary traffic signals. The contractor will get the route signed and operating as soon as possible.

For more information, contact:
Chris Ouellette, Regional Communication Manager
(715) 833-9814, chris.ouellette@dot.state.wi.us