Southwest Region weekly construction update

July 6, 2009

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 impact exists in the following locations. Closures listed are subject to change and are weather-dependent.

Columbia County

I-39/90/94
Location: Safety rest area #11 and #12
Schedule: 2009 construction season
Description: New rest area construction
Traffic impact: Various short duration lane and rest area closures
Contact: Tim Verhage, Mead & Hunt, (608) 635-3822, tim.verhage@dot.wi.gov; or Reiny Yahnke, WisDOT, (608) 795-9050, reiny.yahnke@dot.wi.gov

Crawford County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Dane County

US 14
Location: Mazomanie to Cross Plains Road, WIS 78 intersection  
Schedule: April 15 - August 31, 2009 
Description: Resurfacing and reconstruction of the US 14/WIS 78 intersection
Traffic impact: Expect some traffic delays during off-peak hours as the contractor completes their work using a flagging operation. From June 22 until August 31, traffic will be detoured off of US 14 using WIS 78 to WIS 19 to US 12 to US 14. WIS 78 traffic will be detoured onto County F to WIS 19 to WIS 78. Expect some delays on the detour routes especially at intersections. US 14 will remain open to local traffic and businesses for the duration of the project.
Contact: Curt Neuhauser, (608) 245-2676, curt.neuhauser@dot.wi.gov

US 14
Location: Oregon Bypass (County MM to WIS 138)
Schedule: April 20 - September 9, 2009
Description: Conversion from a two to a four lane highway. New concrete pavement, grading, pavement marking and signing.
Traffic impact: Expect some traffic delays during off-peak hours as the contractor completes their work using a flagging operation. There are no signed detour routes. Expect some traffic delays during peak hours as the contractor completes their work.
Contact: Curt Neuhauser, (608) 245-2676, curt.neuhauser@dot.wi.gov

County B, County W, and Drotning Road
Location: Bridges on I-39/90
Schedule: June 29 - September 2009
Description: Bridge painting of steel girders
Traffic impact: Minimal impact expected. County and local roads will have a one-way stop condition during construction operations. No traffic impact to I-39/90.
Contact: Curt Neuhauser, (608) 245-2676, curt.neuhauser@dot.wi.gov

US 151 (East Washington Avenue)
Location: Marquette Street to Pinecrest Drive, Madison
Schedule: February - December 2009
Description: Reconstruction of East Washington Avenue and bridge replacement over WIS 30. Includes reconstruction of Aberg Avenue/WIS 30 from McCormick Avenue to the railroad track east of Fair Oaks Avenue. The project includes work on Commercial Avenue (WIS 30 Frontage Roads), Fair Oaks Avenue between the two frontage roads, and the ramps at Fair Oaks Avenue. The project will reconstruct all the ramps at the East Washington Avenue and WIS 30 interchange.
Traffic impact: Traffic on East Washington Avenue is reduced to two lanes in each direction except for inbound East Washington Avenue traffic at WIS 30 is reduced to one lane. Traffic on WIS 30 is reduced to one lane in each direction. Additional lane closures may occur during off-peak travel times. Side streets may also be closed at various times during the construction period. A traffic switch is anticipated for East Washington Avenue mid-week, where inbound East Washington Avenue traffic will be moved to the newly constructed roadway.  Commercial Avenue is closed to through traffic between Rethke Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue.
Highway 30/Aberg Avenue is scheduled to be closed on Saturday July 11 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for removal of the East Washington Avenue bridge. A detour route will be posted. Westbound WIS 30 traffic will be detoured using US 51 and US 151 (East Washington Avenue). Eastbound WIS 30 traffic will be detoured using WIS 113 (Packers Avenue and First Street) to US 151 (East Washington Avenue).
Contact: Rob Phillips (city of Madison), (608) 266-4090, rphillips@cityofmadison.com; Curt Neuhauser, (608) 245-2676, curt.neuhauser@dot.wi.gov

Dane and Iowa counties

US 18
Location: (County Y – Town Hall Road), eastbound lane
Schedule: July 6 – November 1, 2009
Description: Dowel bar retrofit and grinding
Traffic impact: Traffic down to one lane in the east bound direction for the duration of the project.
Contact: Tadd J. Owens, (608) 516-6451, tadd.owens@dot.wi.gov

Dodge County

WIS 33
Location: City of Horicon, Columbia Street to Palmatory Street
Schedule: March 16 - November 20, 2009
Length: 1.4 miles
Description: Urban reconstruction
Construction cost: $6.5 million
Traffic impact: WIS 33 is closed to through traffic. A posted detour directs travelers to WIS 26, WIS 60 and WIS 67. 
Contact: Teri Schopp, Project Manager, (608) 245-2662, (608) 516-6467, teri.schopp@dot.wi.gov

Grant County

US 35
Location: West of Lancaster
Schedule: June 15 - October 20, 2009
Description: Bridge replacement, grading and new pavement approach to bridge.
Traffic impact: Road closed to all traffic. Detour utilizes County N, County U and WIS 81.
Contact: Doreen McCarty, (608) 792-1736, doreen.mccarty@dot.wi.gov

WIS 133
Location: County N - Cassville
Schedule: March 16 - November 22, 2009
Description: Total reconstruction of WIS 133 – grading, new pavement, etc.
Traffic impact: Road will be closed to through traffic with a detour in place. Detour WIS 81 and WIS 35 from Cassville to Potosi.
Contact: Tim Maedke, P.E., (608) 789-6317

Green County

WIS 69
Location: Bergy Creek Bridge
Schedule: June 29 - August 28, 2009
Description: Bridge replacement
Traffic impact: No through traffic. Posted detour will be west on County C, south on County J (or vice versa).
Contact: Carrie Johnson, (815) 238-4994, carrie.johnson@dot.wi.gov

Iowa County

WIS 80
Location: County I – County P
Schedule: April 13 - September 15, 2009
Description: Reconstruction of 3.94 miles of WIS 80 north of Highland.
Traffic impact: Road closed with a detour that uses County G and WIS 133.
Contact: Tadd J. Owens, (608) 516-6451, tadd.owens@dot.wi.gov

Jefferson County

WIS 26
Location: Jefferson Bypass (US 18 to Jahn Road)
Schedule: May 18, 2009 - August 2010
Description: New alignment, north half of Jefferson bypass.
Traffic impact: Minor delays to cross streets and side roads.
Contact: Teri Schopp, (608) 516-6467, teri.schopp@dot.wi.gov; or Jeff Kaarto, (608) 516-6445, jeffrey.kaarto@dot.wi.gov

WIS 26
Location: Watertown Bypass (High Road to County T)
Schedule: June 29, 2009 - August 2011
Description: New alignment, south half of Watertown bypass.
Traffic impact: Minor delays to cross streets and side roads.
Contact: Teri Schopp at (608) 516-6467, teri.schopp@dot.state.wi.us or Jim Grender, (608) 712-0533,

WIS 59
Location: Palmyra to Whitewater (Second Street to Walworth County Line)
Schedule: June 8 - October 31, 2009
Description: Within the Village of Palmyra the underground facilities will be replaced and the roadway will be reconstructed. From Palmyra to Whitewater the roadway surface will be pulverized and a new asphaltic surface will be placed.
Traffic impact: Traffic will be detoured onto US 12, to Fort Atkinson and WIS 106 to Palmyra. Local access to businesses and residences will be maintained on WIS 59 during construction.
Contact:  Teri Schopp, (608) 516-6467, teri.schopp@dot.wi.gov

Juneau County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

La Crosse County

I-90
Location: West Salem - East County Line (0.65 miles east of County C to East County Line)
Schedule:  I-90, May 6 - July 3, 2009; WIS 162, April 9 - July 17, 2009
Description: Pavement replacement with structure work.
Traffic impact: I-90, single lane of eastbound and westbound directions. WIS 162, lane restriction.
Contact: Travis Giese, (608) 386-3023, travis.giese@dot.wi.gov

WIS 16
Location: La Crosse Street to County B
Schedule: July 7 - September 30, 2009
Description: Concrete overlay of bridge deck
Traffic impact: Lanes closures with two lanes open in the peak direction. In the mornings two lanes will be open to traffic entering La Crosse with one lane existing. In the afternoon, two lanes will be open to traffic exiting La Crosse and one lane entering.
Contact: Reiny Yahnke, (608) 785-9050, reiny.yahnke@dot.wi.gov

Lafayette County

WIS 23   
Location: From WIS 81 West/WIS 23/County Shop Road intersection south to WIS 11
Schedule: April 29 - June 19, 2009
Description: Milling and overlay, adding additional beam guard.
Traffic impact: One lane closure but road will be open to through traffic.
Contact: Carrie Johnson, Project Leader, (815) 238-4994, carrie.johnson@dot.wi.gov

Monroe County

See Monroe and Juneau counties below.

Monroe and Juneau County

I-90/94 and I-94
Location: Tomah to Camp Douglas / WIS 21 to County C
Schedule: I-90, May 8 - October 16, 2009 
Description: Structure work.
Traffic impact: I-90 counter-directional traffic. Single lane of eastbound and westbound traffic on westbound roadway.
Contact: Chris Dahl, (608) 792-5809, christopher.dahl@dot.wi.gov

Richland County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Rock County

I-43
Location: I-39 to WIS 140
Schedule: April 20, 2009 - November 14, 2009
Description: Existing roadway will be rubblized and overlaid with asphalt, concrete overlays on bridge decks, installation of a virtual weigh station.
Traffic impact: Single lane of traffic both directions.
Contact: Doug Sina, (608) 516-3864, douglas.sina@dot.wi.gov

WIS 59
Location: Janesville – Fort Atkinson Road
Schedule: April 27 - November 13, 2009
Description: The project includes relocating WIS 59 on the east side of the city of Milton to the south so that the new intersection of WIS 59 and WIS 26 is located across from St. Mary Street. WIS 59 will then match back into the existing WIS 59 just west of Vickerman Road. Work includes excavation, base course, storm sewer, concrete and asphalt pavement, curb and gutter, structures, lighting, signing, landscaping, and other incidentals to complete the project.
Traffic impact: Much of the project will be completed without affecting existing traffic. As the project progresses, work will begin on WIS 26, WIS 59, County M, and Townline Road in order to complete the tie-ins for the proposed WIS 59. This will be done with lane closures. Additionally, the intersection of County M and Townline Road will be closed for 30 days. During this time, County M traffic will be detoured using County KK and existing WIS 59.
Contact: Tara Weiss, (608) 516-1725 cell phone, tara.weiss@dot.wi.gov

Sauk County

WIS 78
Location: Prairie du Sac, Merrimac Road and village of Merrimac, Main Street
Schedule: March 16 - November 25, 2009
Description: Reconstruction - grading, new pavement, storm and sanitary sewer, etc.
Traffic impact: Road closed. WIS 78 detoured (US 12 - WIS 159 - County DL). Local access only. WIS 78 open from the Ferry in Merrimac to WIS 113 north until July 15, 2009. After July 15 WIS 78 north open from Ferry in Merrimac, and WIS 113 will be detoured on WIS 78 north to County DL.
Contact: Robert Lex, (608) 246-5622, robert.lex@dot.wi.gov

US 12
Location: I-90/94 - Baraboo
Schedule: April 6, 2009 - November 19, 2010
Description: Work continues along the new US 12 by-pass corridor with earth-moving and grading operations along with culvert, storm sewer and utility installations.
Traffic impact: Terrytown Road is closed to through traffic (no detour posted). Flagging of traffic on WIS 33 and Old Hwy 33 will continue to allow the contractor to haul material from the south end of the project north to WIS 33.
Contact: Dale Merten, (608) 254-1913, dale.merten@dot.wi.gov

Vernon County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Walworth and Waukesha counties

I-43
Location: US 12 to WIS 83
Schedule: July 6 - November 15, 2009
Description: Work consist of bridge deck overlays including asphalt pavement approaches for the bridges on I-43 over WIS 11, Townline Road, and the CN RR. Also included is the Bowers Road Bridge over I-43.
Traffic  impact: I-43 construction operations will take place under live traffic with one 12 foot travel lane. Bowers Road will be closed to traffic during construction on the bridge. Work on the Bowers Road Bridge will begin after the last Alpine Valley concert or September 8, 2009. Detour southbound Bowers Road traffic at County ES, east to WIS 120, south to County D, and west back to Bowers Road. Detour northbound Bowers Road traffic at County D, east to WIS 120, north  to County ES and west back to Bowers Road. I-43 exit traffic for northbound Bowers Road will exit at WIS 20 west to Bowers Road. I-43 exit traffic for southbound Bowers Road will exit at WIS 120 south to County D, and west to Bowers Road.
Contact: Red Shrader, Michael Baker Corp., (608) 852-6701,  hshrader@mbakercorp.com

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:
Lois Losby, WisDOT Southwest Region Communications
(608) 785-9958, lois.losby@dot.wi.gov