Northeast Region weekly construction update

March 11, 2010

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is providing a weekly update on road construction in Northeast Wisconsin, which includes the counties of Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Sheboygan, and Winnebago.

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

Brown County

WIS 172
Location: WIS 172 from US 41 to I-43
Schedule: September 2008 to September 2010
Length: 5.5 miles
Cost: $37 million
Description: The project involves construction of temporary crossovers for traffic, construction of crash investigation sites, removal, replacement, widening, and overlay of bridge decks, concrete pavement repair, and complete resurfacing of east and westbound lanes. There will also be upgrades to lighting, traffic signals, storm sewer, and curb and gutter.
March 6 to March 12: Crews continued removing the concrete deck and installing plywood deck forms on the eastbound structure over the Fox River. Crews continued building forms, tying steel reinforcement, and other preparatory work on WIS 172 for the new eastbound structure over Oneida Street.  Crews began driving piling for a retaining wall along WIS 172 near Oneida Street.
March 13 to March 19: Crews will continue removing the concrete deck and installing plywood decking on the eastbound structure over the Fox River. Crews will perform demolition of the existing eastbound structure over Oneida Street. Crews will continue constructing a retaining wall along WIS 172 near Oneida Street.
Traffic impacts: Traffic on WIS 172 will be reduced to two lanes westbound and one lane eastbound between Webster Avenue and US 41 from February to August. The US 41 northbound – WIS 172 eastbound ramp, the Vanderperren Way on- and off-ramps, the Riverside Drive – WIS 172 westbound ramp, the south loop ramp from WIS 172 eastbound to Riverside Drive, and the south connector ramp between Riverside Drive and Webster Avenue will be closed from February to August. The Fox River State Recreational Trail and Ashwaubomay River Trail will remain open during construction, except for a few days when work is directly overhead. Trail users are advised to use caution near the construction site and watch for crossing trucks. Traffic on WIS 57 (Riverside Drive) will be reduced to one lane in each direction during work operations and may be temporarily stopped with flaggers for short intervals. County AAA (Oneida Street) will be closed at WIS 172 from March 15 to July 15. The detour route for southbound traffic will be provided along Pilgrim Way, Holmgren Way, and Hansen Road. The detour route for northbound traffic will be provided along Vanderperren Way, Holmgren Way, and Pilgrim Way. All work at this time of year is weather-dependent and subject to change. Traffic impacts will be significant and motorists are strongly urged to use detour and alternate routes. Detour route signing will be provided along US 41 and I-43.

Calumet County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Door County

Michigan Street bridge
Location: Sturgeon Bay
Schedule: June 2009 - November 2010
Length: 1,390 feet
Cost: $18.4 million
Description: Work includes structural rehabilitation of the fixed and movable steel through truss spans; replacement of the machinery, controls, electrical system, lighting and fender system.
March 8 to March 12: Start removals for stage 2 track and tread on the west side. Continue with steel replacement on west leaf of bascule span. Continue installing pot bearings west side of channel.  Excavate for the east abutment. Placing steel on Dolphin 3.  Continue placing deck formwork on spans 2 and 3.  Continue installing conduit on west side for lighting.  Pour curb and gutter on spans 9 and 10.
March 15 to March 19:  Continue removals for stage 2 track and tread on the west side. Continue with steel replacement on west leaf of bascule span. Continue installing pot bearings on west side spans. Excavate for the east abutment. Start driving piles for east abutment. Start removing bridge deck on span 11. Continue placing steel on Dolphins. Continue placing deck formwork for spans 2 and 3.  Continue installing conduit on west side for lighting.
Traffic impact: The bridge is closed to all road traffic during this project. Mariners are advised that from February 6 through March 5, 2010, one leaf of the bridge will be secured in the down position at all times and one leaf will remain open to navigation. No full openings will be performed during this period. From March 6 through May 31, 2010, one leaf will remain open to navigation and a four-hour advance notice of arrival will be required for a full opening. Advance notice should be given to the bridge directly by calling (715) 644-8145. From June 1 through June 25, 2010, one leaf will remain in the down position at all times and only one leaf will be up. No full openings will be allowed during this period. Due to the nature of work being performed, mariners are strongly urged to exercise extreme caution in the vicinity of the bridge.

Fond du Lac County

US 41
Schedule: August 2008 to April 2010
Length: 1.1 miles
Cost: $21 million  
Location: WIS 175 to Military Road (formerly US 151) Fond du Lac County
Description: The project involves the reconstruction of the US 41/Hickory Street interchange, the reconstruction of the CN & FVW RR bridge over US 41, the reconstruction of the Hickory Street bridge over US 41, the construction of a pedestrian bridge over US 41 for the Wild Goose State Trail, the reconstruction of the Hickory Street/Rolling Meadows intersection, and the construction and realignment of several railroad tracks in the immediate vicinity.
March 15 to March 19: Reconstruction of US 41 continues with sign bases and permanent signing.
March 22 to March 26: Reconstruction of US 41 continues with permanent signing beam guard and cable barrier.
Traffic impacts: Expect shoulder closures the week of March 15 –19 for sign base installation and permanent signing. Beginning March 22, one lane in each direction will be closed from Monday through Friday to complete work for permanent signing, beam guard, and cable barrier in the median. Depending on the weather, all work is expected to be completed by April 30, 2010.

Winnebago Drive
Location: Taft Street to US 151
Schedule: January to October 29, 2010
Length: 2.4 miles
Cost: $6.4 million
Description: This project involves the complete reconstruction of three structures and the replacement of a superstructure of an additional bridge on Winnebago Drive. The project also involves the complete reconstruction of the roadway from Luco Street to the US 151 bypass.
March 6 to March 12: Riprap was placed and the sheet pile cofferdam was removed on the west abutment and construction of the bridge deck began at the Luco Creek Structure. Bridge deck construction continued on the DeNeveu Creek Structure. The deck was poured for the box culvert south of Sandy Beach Road.
March 13 to March 19: Bridge deck construction will continue on the Luco Creek structure. Concrete will be placed on the bridge deck over DeNeveu Creek. Backfill will be placed around the new box culvert west of Sandy Beach Road. Storm sewer installation will begin from Luco Creek to Taycheedah Creek.
Traffic impacts: Winnebago Drive is closed to through traffic from Taft Street to east of Sandy Beach Road. A signed detour is in place. The project remains open to local residents and business traffic.

Kewaunee County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Manitowoc County

Pioneer Road, Meeme River Bridge
Location: Pioneer Road, Town of Meeme
Schedule: February 15 to May 2010
Length: 110 feet
Cost: $248,000
Description: The contract work includes a new structure over the Meeme River and new asphalt approaches.
March 7 to March 13:  Contractor drove piles and poured south abutment.
March 14 to March 20:  Contractor will backfill abutments and place girders.
Traffic impacts: The bridge is closed to all road traffic during this project. There will be no detour route.

I-43
Location: Manitowoc River to WIS 96
Schedule: August 10, 2009 to July 2010
Length: 16.3 miles
Cost: $15.8 million  
Description: This project involves bridge deck repair and overlay, asphaltic surface milling, hot mix asphalt pavement, beam guard, concrete base patching, concrete pavement (WIS 96), diamond grinding (WIS 96), ramp closure gates, law enforcement pads, pavement marking and all incidentals to complete the project.
March 7 to March 13: Edge line pavement markings were removed at various locations.
March 14 to March 20:  Contractor will perform structure and deck repairs at Devils River Structures, northbound and southbound; Canadian Railroad, southbound; County K, southbound; WIS 310, southbound; and the Manitowoc River Bridge, southbound. 
Traffic impacts: CN Railroad southbound; County K southbound; WIS 310 southbound; and the Manitowoc River Bridge southbound. Motorists should anticipate potential backups on I-43 as there will be one lane closed at those locations. Speed will be reduced to 55 mph in the work zones.

Marinette County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Oconto County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Outagamie County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Sheboygan County

I-43
Location: I-43, South county line – WIS 42
Schedule: July 6, 2009 to July 16, 2010
Cost: $16.0 million
Description: This project involves bridge deck repair and overlay, asphaltic surface milling, hot mix asphalt pavement, beam guard, concrete base patching, ramp closure gates, law enforcement pads, and all incidentals to complete the project.
March 14 – March 20: The  I-43 southbound median lane will be closed from north of WIS 42 to County V.  Once the closure is established, work on bridge deck replacement will begin on the WIS 42, Pigeon River, WIS 23, Sheboygan River, WIS 28 and County EE bridges, in the southbound median lane. 
March 21 – March 27: Work will continue this week on the bridge decks between WIS 42 and County EE in the southbound median side lane of I-43.  Pavement repair may begin this week in the closed southbound median lane of I-43.  Work will begin this week in the northbound lanes of I-43, starting at Wilson Lima Road and heading north, on all beam guard that needs to be replaced, raised or have new end treatments installed.       
Traffic impacts:  I-43 will have one lane closed in the southbound lanes from WIS 42 to County V, starting at 6 a.m. Monday morning, March 15.  This closure will remain up for the duration of time required to complete the first phase of the bridge deck replacements. Starting the week of March 21, one lane may be closed in the northbound lanes of I-43 to conduct the beam guard repairs. This will be a moving operation, with lane closures moved northward as the work progresses. Changeable message boards are being utilized to inform the motoring public in advance when work will begin. They will be posted one week prior to the work beginning.

Winnebago County

Adams Street Bridge
Location: City of Neenah
Schedule: February 15, 2010 to May 2010
Length: 250 feet
Cost: $337,000
Description: The contract work includes a new structure over the Neenah slough River, asphalt approaches, curb and gutter and concrete sidewalk.
March 8 to March 14: The workers will strip the pier and begin placing the forms and rebar for the concrete deck.
March 15 to March 21: The workers will continue placing forms and rebar for the concrete deck.
Traffic impacts: The bridge is closed to all road traffic during this project. The detour route will be along south Lake Street, Main Street, and Harrison Street.

North Main Street, city of Oshkosh
Schedule:  March 15, 2010 to November 2010
Length:  0.8 Miles
Cost:  $6 million
Location:  Fox River Bridge to Irving Avenue
Description:  This project involves the complete reconstruction of North Main Street. Project includes grading, base aggregate, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water main, service laterals, concrete pavement, concrete curb and gutter, concrete sidewalk, signing, street lighting, traffic signals, landscape plantings and incidentals.
March 15 to March 19: Phase 1 work is scheduled to begin Monday, March 15. Traffic control, erosion control, temporary fencing, clearing and grubbing and breaking the existing concrete pavement will all be items of work scheduled for the week. Storm sewer and sanitary sewer are scheduled to begin later in the week. Phase 1 work will be focused on the area from the Fox River Bridge to Ceape Avenue; however, work on the storm and sanitary sewer is scheduled from Ceape Avenue north to Pearl Avenue.
March 20 to March 26:  The contractor will continue working on Phase 1 items from the Fox River Bridge to Ceape Avenue. Storm and sanitary sewer is scheduled to continue from the Fox River Bridge to Pearl Avenue.
Traffic impacts:  North Main Street will be closed to traffic beginning March 15, 2010 from Ceape Ave. to Irving Ave. Two-way single lane traffic across the Fox River Bridge to Ceape Ave. will be maintained at all times. The Ceape Ave. intersection will be constructed in phases. Eastbound cross traffic will be maintained on Ceape Ave. throughout the project. Cross traffic on the intersection of Otter Ave. /Pearl Ave. will be not allowed at any time during the project except whenever Algoma Blvd./Washington Ave. is closed. Eastbound cross traffic at High Ave. / Waugoo Ave. will be maintained with the exception of a maximum of 15 days to allow for utility installation, grading, or concrete pavement operations. Cross traffic will be maintained on Algoma Blvd. / Washington Ave.; Church Ave./ Merrit Ave. and Parkway Ave. with the exception of a maximum of approximately 15 days to allow for utility installation. Traffic will be maintained on the east, west and north legs of the Irving Ave. and N. Main Street intersection with the exception of 7 days to allow for utility installation. Cross access will be maintained, but could vary by street depending on the work being performed. The signed phase 1 detour is via 9th Ave. to Jackson St. This detour will be in effect from March 15, 2010 until April 5, 2010. Pedestrian access to businesses and residents on both sides of Main St. will be maintained throughout the project.

US 41 – County K (20th Avenue) overpass
Location: County K (20th Avenue) between Washburn Street and Koeller Street
Schedule: February to June 2010
Length: 0.2 miles
Cost: $2.23 million
Description: This project involves the demolition and reconstruction of County K (20th Avenue) overpass over US 41, construction of retaining walls, and reconstruction of the roadway at the bridge approaches.
March 8 to March 12: Construction continues on the pier. Footings were poured on Monday and columns are set to be poured Thursday. Pile driving operations were completed on Monday for the east abutment and that abutment will be poured on Friday.
March 14 to March 20: Construction will continue on the pier with the pouring of the pier cap scheduled for either Wednesday or Thursday. Crews will move the steel into place for the pier cap on Monday night. Crews will begin construction of the west abutment with pile driving and form construction. 
Traffic impacts: Monday, March 15: night lane closure of southbound US 41 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for setting steel for pier cap. Wednesday, March 17: night lane closure of southbound US 41 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for pouring of the pier cap. (This work could be moved to Thursday night.)
 
US 41 – Witzel Avenue overpass
Location: Washburn Street, Witzel Avenue, Koeller Street, and Rath Lane
Schedule: August 2009 to November 2010
Length: 0.937 miles
Cost: $8.3 million
Description: This project involves the demolition/reconstruction of the bridges on North Koeller Street and Washburn Street over Sawyer Creek, the realignment and reconstruction of Rath Lane/North Koeller Street, the reconstruction and realignment of Washburn Street frontage road, the demolition and reconstruction of the Witzel overpass over US 41, and the construction of two roundabouts and three retaining walls at the Witzel/Washburn and Witzel/Koeller intersections. 
March 15 to March 19:  Piling installation will be finished for the Witzel Avenue structure pier. Concrete footing installation will begin with pier shaft construction to follow for the Witzel Avenue structure.  24” storm sewer installation will be completed along the east side of the Witzel Avenue structure. The existing west section of Washburn Street will be obliterated and removed.
Traffic impacts: Traffic cannot cross US 41, as the existing bridge will be removed and replaced. Traffic will need to use either WIS 21 to the north, or Ninth Street to the south. Through traffic will still be allowed at the Washburn/Witzel and Koeller/Witzel intersections during construction of the Witzel Avenue structure, no traffic will be allowed onto the bridge. Two-way, through traffic will continue on Washburn during construction.  Traffic may be flagged at times. Starting Tuesday, the two southbound lanes along Koeller Street will be closed adjacent to the intersection of WItzel Avenue and Koeller Street.  Kohler Street will remain open to single lanes of traffic on the northbound lanes. Starting Tuesday, the two westbound lanes along Witzel Avenue will be closed adjacent to the intersection of Witzel Avenue and Washburn Street.  Witzel Avenue will remain open to single lanes of traffic on the eastbound lanes. The inside median lane of US 41 northbound will be closed on Monday night.  It will be closed again on Wednesday night (this closure could be moved to Thursday night).

US 41 - Lake Butte des Morts
Location: US 41 southbound from US 45 interchange to the WIS 21 interchange
Schedule: August 2009 - November 2010
Length: N/A
Cost: $15.2 million
Description: Project involves widening the Lake Butte des Morts causeway including the southbound US 41 off-ramp to WIS 21. The project also constructs a new overpass for Lake Butte des Morts Drive over US 41 as well as the reconstruction of Lake Butte des Morts Drive and Marine Drive. This project also involves grading associated with the new US 41/US 45 interchange.
March 8 to March 14: Crews set beams on the new northbound US 45 to southbound US 41 ramp.  Crews completed grouting of the equalizer pipes on the causeway.
March 15 to March 21: Crews will begin forming bridge deck for the US 45 to southbound US 41 ramp.
Traffic impacts: Southbound US 41 is reduced to two 11-foot lanes between US 45 and WIS 21. Northbound 41 inside and outside shoulders are closed at Westwind Road. The Wiowash Trail is closed between Marine Drive and Westwind Road until fall 2010. On Monday March 1, US 41 will be reduced to one 11-foot lane between US 45 and WIS 21, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Southbound US 41 will be closed with a rolling roadblock at US 45; this closure should last 20 minutes.

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 email a request to opa.exec@dot.wi.gov.

For more information, contact:
Kim Rudat, WisDOT Northeast Region Communications Manager
(920) 492-5743, Kim.Rudat@dot.wi.gov

US 41 Expansion Project information:
Kris Schuller, WisDOT Project Communications Manager 
(920) 492-4109, Kris.Schuller@dot.wi.gov