I-43/County Y interchange work completed in Waukesha County

November 3, 2009

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is announcing that the I-43/County Y intersection is scheduled to reopen Wednesday, Nov. 4.

The work, which began in May:

• Reconstructed County Y (Racine Avenue) from W. College Avenue to Julius Heil Drive.
• Reconstructed the freeway on/off ramps.
• Re-decked the County Y bridge over I-43.
• Replaced the existing traffic signals at ramp termini on County Y with roundabouts.

There are many benefits for improving such an intersection with a roundabout. Roundabouts will increase safety. Studies show that the chance of a fatal crash in a roundabout is almost non-existent and serious injury crashes are substantially reduced.

WisDOT's experience with other roundabouts in Wisconsin has shown that citizen approval increases dramatically once roundabouts are built and motorists become familiar with them and the benefits they provide.

As transportation professionals, it is WisDOT’s responsibility to provide safer and more efficient transportation systems, including intersections, to serve and protect the traveling public. WisDOT not only addresses current issues but also takes a pro-active approach in improving traffic infrastructure, based on projected future needs.

Motorists seeking more information should visit the WisDOT Roundabout Web site.

The project was done at the same time as the Waukesha County project along County Y, from Julius Heil Drive to Pinewood Drive, including the County ES and County Y intersection, which will also be open.

For more information, contact:
Dennis A. Shook, WisDOT SE Regional Communications Manager
(414) 750-2395, Dennis.Shook@dot.wi.gov