Cofferdam work began July 28 in Lake Delton

August 11, 2008

Project precedes County A reconstruction

Work began July 28 on a cofferdam in advance of the reconstruction of County A at Lake Delton, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

Governor Jim Doyle last week signed a $1.08 million emergency contract to install a cofferdam near the planned embankment of the new roadway. The cofferdam is necessary to restrict the flow water into the work zone before road construction can begin.

James Thieding Construction, Inc. of Loganville is the prime contractor for the cofferdam. Construction includes placement of aggregate and sheet piling and removal of two partial buildings. Thieding Construction began moving equipment to the site late last week.

Funding for the cofferdam project is expected to come from federal emergency relief funds.

County A has been closed and traffic has been detoured since a breach caused by heavy rainfall in early June created a new channel from Lake Delton to the Wisconsin River approximately 700 feet long by 370 feet wide and 30 feet deep. The breach drained the 267-acre lake of more than 600 million gallons of water and washed out County A.

The timeline for the road reconstruction project includes letting of bids in late August, construction starting in early September, anticipated opening of County A in December, and refilling Lake Delton in spring 2009.

The reconstruction of County A and restoration of Lake Delton is a collaborative effort between WisDOT, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Military Affairs, Federal Highway Administration, Sauk County and the village of Lake Delton.

For more information, contact:
Michael Bie, Regional Communications Manager
(608) 246-7928, michael.bie@dot.state.wi.us