Winter traveler information now available by dialing 511

November 5, 2009

Winter driving condition information also available online at www.511wi.gov

The first snowflakes of the season have already fallen on parts of Wisconsin.  As a result, the 511 Traveler Information System, a service of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, has activated its winter road condition report feature.  The report covers Interstate highways and higher volume U.S. and state-numbered highways.  Winter road conditions are updated regularly as conditions change based on the field reporting from law enforcement and county highway departments.  It does not include all highways at this time due to the limitations of the physical reporting requirements.

Information on winter road conditions can be obtained free by dialing 511 from a landline telephone or cell phone (normal airtime charges apply) or by going online (www.511wi.gov).  In addition to winter road conditions, 511 provides information on incidents, including crashes and lane closures due to work zones.  Information is provided by county or roadway segment.

511 traveler information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be obtained by using either voice recognition or a phone’s touchtone keypad for those using a telephone or cell phone.

For best service when calling 511, WisDOT recommends minimizing background noise, including radios or open windows.  If in a moving vehicle, only passengers should call 511.  Never use 511 when driving.  Some cell phone service providers do not supply direct access to Wisconsin’s 511 traveler information system.  Alternatively, the information is available for free by dialing 866-511-WISC.

For more information, contact:
Chris Quesnell, State Traffic Operations
(414) 225-3727, chris.quesnell@dot.wi.gov