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Oconomowoc bypass project

Note: This project has been completed. For more information on this project please contact:

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Southeast Region
141 NW Barstow Street
P.O. Box 798
Waukesha, WI 53187-0798
Phone: (262) 548-5902
Fax: (262) 548-5662
TDD: (262) 548-8801
E-mail: sewicommuter@dot.state.wi.us

WIS 67 and WIS 16 are major components of the regional transportation network in Waukesha and Jefferson counties. These roadways provide access and service to local communities as well as Lake Country residents and visitors.

The Oconomowoc bypass project corridor is located between the towns of Ixonia in Jefferson County and Oconomowoc in Waukesha County. The proposed 7.9-mile bypass circles the city of Oconomowoc and village of Lac La Belle along the western, northern and eastern borders.

The bypass will:

• Construct a four-lane, limited access divided highway from Ixonia to an easterly connection with the WIS 67/16 interchange already constructed in Oconomowoc.
• Create a new, safer route of travel.
• Relieve congestion in the area.

Since the 1960s, municipalities have expressed concerns about congestion, truck traffic, pedestrian safety and crashes in the downtown area. To relieve those concerns, the Wisconsin Highway Commission and Jefferson and Waukesha counties approved an official route change for WIS 16. WIS 16 was transferred to a new northerly bypass route. Since no roadway was actually built, WIS 16 continues its current route through the city of Oconomowoc.

Work began in August 2002 and will finish in fall 2006, with landscaping finishing in spring 2007. The project will join with the segment of the WIS 67 bypass, which opened in 1992.

The east portion of the project, between WIS 16 at the eastern edge of downtown and WIS 67 in the town of Oconomowoc, opened October 3, 2005. This 3.8-mile section is now a four-lane divided highway with a park and ride lot at WIS 67.

Crews also constructed a 50-acre wetland southwest of WIS 67 and Lang Road with native vegetation, and a meandering stream that feeds into Rosenow Creek - a Class 1 trout stream.

WisDOT urges motorists to use caution as they become familiar with the new roadway, especially at the intersections of Lisbon Road and County Z.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Emlynn Grisar, sewicommuter@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: January 7, 2008