I-43 and County Y project scheduled to start early May in Waukesha County
April 28, 2009
As part of his ongoing “Grow Wisconsin” initiative to invest in Wisconsin’s infrastructure and stimulate our state’s economy, Governor Jim Doyle has approved a $6.2 million project to improve the I-43 and County Y (Racine Avenue) interchange in Waukesha County.
Work is scheduled to begin in early May to replace the County Y bridge decks over I-43, reconstruct County Y from W. College Avenue to Julius Heil Drive, reconstruct the freeway on/off ramps, and replace the existing traffic signals with roundabouts. “This project will allow for anticipated traffic growth in this area,” said Philip Bain, Project Manager with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).
Modern roundabouts are the newest form of intersection in the U.S. Several are in operation in Wisconsin, including a new urban roundabout on Milwaukee's south side. Several others are in the planning stages around the state. Roundabouts provide safe and efficient traffic flow and make use of extensive safety and traffic research conducted over the past 25 years in other countries. Today's roundabouts are much smaller than the "traffic circles" of earlier years. Roundabouts move traffic safely through an intersection with slower speeds, fewer conflict points and easier decision-making. Visit the following links for more information on how to travel roundabouts.
Computer animations on driving roundabouts:
Video of roundabouts in Washington and Kansas:
- http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/eesc/CAE/designvisualization/video/Portfolio/Modern_Roundabouts/mpg_index.htm
- http://www.ksdot.org/burtrafficeng/Roundabouts/Roundabout_Guide/RoundaboutGuide.asp
WisDOT roundabout information:
County Y will be open to local traffic only north of West College Avenue. I-43 will remain open to traffic throughout construction; however, single lane closures will occur during non-peak hours or weekends. The I-43 eastbound and westbound off-ramps will be closed to traffic for the duration of the project. The I-43 eastbound on ramp will remain open to all traffic, except during reconstruction. The I-43 westbound on ramp will remain open to local traffic only, except during reconstruction. Work taking place in front of W. College Avenue will occur in phases in order to maintain access at all times. In addition, the bridgework is being completed in halves (northbound lanes and southbound lanes separately) to maintain access on the bridge for local traffic.
Construction on this project will be done concurrently with the Waukesha County reconstruction of the County Y and County ES intersection.
The contractor, Musson Bros, Inc. is scheduled to complete the project by November, weather permitting.
For more information, contact:
Dennis A. Shook, Regional Communications Manager
(414) 750-2395,
dennis.shook@dot.wi.gov
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