Northeast Region construction update

December 19, 2008

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is providing a weekly update on road construction in the Northeast region which includes the counties of Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Sheboygan, and Winnebago.

Construction-related traffic impact exists in the following locations. Closures listed are subject to change and are weather-dependent.

Brown County

WIS 172
Location: WIS 172 from US 41 to I-43
Schedule: October 2008 - August 2010
Length: 5.5 miles
Cost: $37 million
Description: The project involves construction of temporary crossovers for traffic, construction of crash investigation sites, removal, replacement, widening, and overlay of bridge decks, concrete pavement repair, and complete resurfacing of east and westbound lanes. There will also be upgrades to lighting, traffic signals, storm sewer, and curb and gutter.
Traffic impact: WIS 172 eastbound and westbound traffic will be restored to normal flow.

Calumet County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Door County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Fond du Lac County

US 41
Location: WIS 175 to US 151
Schedule: August 2008 - November 2009
Length: 1.1 miles
Cost: $ 21.0 million
Description: The project involves the reconstruction of the US 41/Hickory Street interchange, the reconstruction of the CN & FVW RR bridge over US 41, the reconstruction of the Hickory Street bridge over US 41, the construction of a pedestrian bridge over US 41 for the Wild Goose State Trail, the reconstruction of the Hickory Street/Rolling Meadows intersection and the construction and realignment of several railroad tracks in the immediate vicinity.
Traffic impact: Motorists should anticipate backups on US 41 and are advised to consider alternate routes. No lane closures will occur on US 41 between Dec. 20 and Jan. 4. Starting Jan. 5, if lane closures on US 41 are required, the lane closures will occur between 6 a.m. Monday and 10 a.m. Friday for the northbound and 6 a.m. Monday and 2 p.m. Friday for the southbound lanes. All ramps at the Hickory Street Interchange will remain closed for the duration of the project. The Hickory Street bridge over US 41 is scheduled for demolition beginning Monday, Oct. 20. Hickory Street will remain closed to through traffic between Pioneer Road and Rolling Meadows Drive during construction and will remain closed until the new bridge and approaches are completed in 2009. A detour route is in place using Pioneer Road to Military Road to Rolling Meadows Drive. Work on Hickory Street and the new railroad track realignment, between Rolling Meadows Drive and Larsen Drive continues. Hickory Street is closed from Rolling Meadows Drive to Larsen Drive while this work is being completed. A local detour is provided from Rolling Meadows Drive to Trowbridge Drive to Willow Lawn Road to Hickory Street. Please follow marked detour routes. Due to restricted lane widths and construction in the Fond du Lac area, the Wisconsin State Patrol is suggesting that motorists use I-43 as an alternate when feasible for Packers games, deer hunting, and holidays when heavy traffic volumes may cause backups. US 41 northbound will be closed to traffic Monday night, Dec. 8 at 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, Dec. 9.  US 41 southbound will be closed Tuesday night , Dec. 9  at 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday morning, Dec. 10, and possibly north bound will be closed Wednesday night, Dec. 10 at 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday morning, Dec. 11 for removal of the Hickory Street bridge. Detour will be in place using US 151 south to Military Road

US 41
Location: US 151 to County OO
Schedule: April 2008 - July 2009
Length: 6.2 miles
Cost: $ 26.3 million
Description: The project involves asphaltic milling and resurfacing, drainage rehabilitation, the installation of a median cable guard system, and replacement of the US 41/WIS 23 interchange.
Traffic impact: All work suspended until spring 2009.

Manitowoc County

No state construction projects currently in progress.

Marinette County

US 41
  US 41 expansion - Marinette & Oconto Counties
Location: County Y south of Peshtigo to Haynes Road north of Peshtigo.
Schedule: July 2008 - November 2009
Length: 3.63 miles
Cost: $19.5 million
Description: Grading, base aggregate, marsh excavation, concrete and asphalt pavements, and four structures - two over the Sault Ste. Marie / Canadian National railroad, and two over Schacht Road, permanent signing and marking, and all incidental items to complete the project.
Traffic impact: Traffic control has lane closures and traffic narrowed to one lane in each direction northbound and southbound on US 41 north of Peshtigo. The Stage Four contract traffic switch has been implemented, which has southbound US 41 traffic routed onto the new northwest ramp down to new Schacht Road, on Schacht Road through the new roundabout area to Maple Street, and connecting to existing US 41 at existing Old Peshtigo Road. Northbound US 41 traffic will be directed onto the new pavement at Old Peshtigo Road onto Maple Street and through the roundabout onto Schacht Road, and will then use the new southwest interchange ramp to head northbound and connect with existing US 41 at the north end of the project. This traffic pattern will be in force until construction work allows opening of the newly completed US 41 roadway from south of Peshtigo through the project. That is currently scheduled for late summer of 2009. Haynes Road will be closed between US 41 and Old Peshtigo Road, as will Schacht Road at US 41. All other side roads are open to traffic during construction. Schacht Road from the north of the project will have access to US 41 via the existing north frontage road.

US 41, South Peshtigo by-pass
  US 41 expansion - Marinette & Oconto Counties
Location: County Y near Peshtigo to Schacht Road in Peshtigo
Schedule: June 2008 - November 2009
Length: 3.9 miles
Cost: $26.5 million
Description: This project widens US 41 to four lanes with restricted access while bypassing the city of Peshtigo. Project includes earthwork, ten structures, concrete and asphalt paving, signing, and striping.
Traffic impact: Traffic will be maintained in its current configuration on existing US 41.

Marinette and Oconto counties

US 41
US 41 expansion - Marinette & Oconto Counties
Location: County S near Oconto to County Y near Peshtigo
Schedule: August 2007 - June 2009
Length: 10.9 miles
Cost: $22.6 million
Description: This project widens US 41 to four lanes with restricted access. Project includes earthwork, four box culverts, concrete and asphalt paving, signing, and striping.
Traffic impact: The road was fully opened to four lanes between Maple Grove School Road and Kamm Road on Nov. 21.

Oconto County

US 41 North Oconto bypass
  US 41 expansion - Marinette & Oconto Counties
Location: Mill Street, city of Oconto to County S
Schedule: May 2008 - August 2009
Length: 3.3 miles
Cost: $15.3 million
Description: This project constructs US 41 to four lanes with restricted access on a new alignment west of the city of Oconto. Project includes earthwork, five bridges, five box culverts, storm sewer, and wetland mitigation.
Traffic impact: Eastbound and westbound WIS 22 traffic is shifted to the temporary pavement north of existing WIS 22. This lane shift will be maintained until completion of construction of the B-42-114/115 pier at the centerline of WIS 22. Motorists should note that the regulatory speed limit through the construction zone is posted at 35 mph and an advisory speed limit of 25 mph is suggested through the lane shifts. Motorists are advised that delays may occur on Cook Avenue during placement of the girders.

Outagamie County

College Avenue bridge and approaches
Location: College Avenue between Rankin Street and John Street/Walter Avenue.
Schedule: August 2008 - November 2009
Cost: $16.1 million
Description: The project involves replacement of the College Avenue bridge and approaches and the Banta Court bridge and approaches. Work consists of grading, base aggregate, storm sewer, concrete pavement, pavement marking, signing, lighting, landscape planting, retaining wall, and two bridge.
Traffic impact: College Avenue is closed from Rankin Street to John Street/Walter Avenue. The signed detour is via WIS 47, County OO, and WIS 441. Banta Court is closed west of the Banta Bowl parking lot.

WIS 96
Location: US 41 to WIS 76
Schedule: Work to resume in spring 2009.
Cost: $5,130,000
Description: The project includes lane widening and placing asphalt from 1000 feet east of WIS 76 to 500 feet west of Tower View Road and the reconstruction and expanding of WIS 96 to a four-lane divided highway from 500 feet west of Tower View Road to Casaloma Drive. Slotted left turn lanes will be built at the intersection of Casaloma Drive, McCarthy Road, Mayflower Road, and County CB.
Traffic impact: All lanes are open to traffic. The intersections of WIS 96 with Casaloma Drive, McCarthy Road, and County CB are controlled by temporary signals.

Sheboygan County

WIS 42
Location: WIS 42 and I-43 ramps to WIS 42
Schedule: October to December 2008
Cost: $217,000
Description: Project involves overhead sign supports, concrete curb and gutter, concrete sidewalk, and incidentals to complete the work.
Traffic impact: All work suspended until spring 2009.

Superior Avenue
Location: City of Sheboygan, I-43 to Taylor Drive
Schedule: August - April 2009
Length: 0.75 miles
Cost: $1,200,000
Description: Project involves removing pavement, grading, base course, storm sewer, bike path, driveways, curb and gutter, asphalt pavement, traffic control, and pavement marking.
Traffic impact: All work suspended until spring 2009.

Winnebago County

No state construction projects currently in progress. 

Motorists should slow down, use caution and stay alert when driving through construction zones. To avoid delays, consider taking an alternative route and avoid peak travel periods. Before leaving home, check the following sources for information about work zones and detours:

• Dial 511 for incident reports, lane closures, work zones, winter road conditions and roadside services.
• Visit WisDOT's Web site for statewide driving conditions and other travel-related information. Updates on the Marquette Interchange Project in Milwaukee are available at www.mchange.org.
• For a free copy of "Travel Easy," showing the state's largest construction projects, call (800) 242-2514 or email a request to opa.exec@dot.state.wi.us.

For more information, contact:
Kim Rudat, Regional Communications Manager
(920) 492-5743, kim.rudat@dot.state.wi.us