North Central Region Road Construction Update
For the City-Times
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) provides a weekly update on road construction in North Central Wisconsin, which includes: Adams, Green Lake, Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marquette, Menominee, Oneida, Portage, Price, Shawano, Vilas, Waupaca, Waushara, and Wood counties.
Construction-related traffic impacts are subject to change and are dependent on favorable weather conditions and construction status.
Adams County
Highway: WIS 13
Location: Gillette Drive to Adams County E (Wisconsin Dells to Adams)
Schedule: April 22 to June 24, 2013
Cost: $2.9 million
Description: Crews will resurface 15.5 miles of the highway. Improvements also include the replacement of culvert pipes, new beam guard, permanent signing and pavement marking.
Traffic impacts: During construction, motorists can expect to encounter daytime single lane closures and flagging operations.
Langlade County
Highway: US 45
Location: South Langlade County line to WIS 47
Schedule: May 22 to June 20, 2013
Cost: $542,000
Description: Crews will resurface the highway.
Traffic impacts: The highway will remain open to traffic during construction. Motorists can expect to encounter lane closures and flagging operations.
Lincoln County
Highway: US 51
Location: Between Lincoln County K (Merrill) and County S (Tomahawk)
Schedule: June 10 to early September 2013
Cost: $3.6 million
Description: Crews will resurface the highway; resurface the interchange ramps at County K and County S; perform routine bridge maintenance on the County S overpass and apply an anti-skid surface to the bridge deck; and repave the highway shoulders.
Traffic impacts: During construction, motorists on US 51 can expect to encounter single lane closures and a reduced speed limit to 55 mph in the work zone. Some flagging operations will be necessary at the interchange ramps.
Highway: US 51
Location: at Lincoln County C/North Star Road, town of Merrill
Schedule: May 13 to late September 2013
Cost: $1.8 million
Description: Crews will construct an overpass of US 51 at this location, removing at-grade access to the freeway.
Traffic impacts: During construction, motorists on US 51 can expect to encounter single lane closures. Some nighttime closures of the freeway will be required to set girders for the new structure. When the freeway is closed, motorists will be detoured via County K. The access to US 51 from Lincoln County C and from North Star Road has been permanently removed.
Marathon County
Highway: WIS 98 (*updated*)
Location: Between County Line Road and WIS 13, Spencer
Schedule: June 3 to mid-July 2013 Cost: $675,000 Description: Crews will resurface the highway, replace some sidewalk and curb and gutter, and reconstruct a railroad crossing.
Traffic impacts: WIS 98 will remain open to traffic during most of the construction activities. Motorists can expect to encounter flagging operations. The railroad crossing reconstruction is currently scheduled to occur from 5.a.m. Monday, June 24 until 7 a.m. Tuesday, July 2. During reconstruction of the railroad crossing, WIS 98 will be detoured via WIS 73, WIS 29 and WIS 13.
Highway: WIS 153
Location: between Eastview Drive and Andrys Lane, near the Central Wisconsin airport
Schedule: May 13 to June 14, 2013 Cost: $1.6 million Description: Crews will mill the existing pavement and replace it with new asphalt. Other improvements include improving storm water drainage by grading ditches, installing new culverts, and installing new curb and gutter at the intersection of WIS 153/County X.
Traffic impacts: The highway will be open to one lane in each direction during construction, but motorists can expect to encounter lane closures and daytime flagging operations. Motorists are reminded to drive with caution as they approach the work zone and should be prepared to stop. To avoid possible delays during peak travel times, motorists should allow more time for travel or use alternate routes.
Highway: US 51 (*updated*)
Location: Marathon County U and K/Business 51 interchange, Wausau
Schedule: April 1, 2013 to late November 2014 Cost: $28 million Description: Crews will reconstruct the interchange.
Traffic impacts:
- Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction on US 51 during peak travel hours.
- Periodic 5 to 20 minute closures of US 51 will be required for blasting operations and beam placement.
- Motorists can expect periodic, temporary closures of interchange ramps.
- The temporary northbound US 51 off-ramp to County K will open on Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m. The northbound US 51 off-ramp to County U will be closed and will remain closed through September.
- The temporary southbound US 51 on-ramp from County K will open on Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m. The southbound US 51 on-ramp from County U will be closed and will remain closed through September.
- County U (west of US 51 to Westwood Drive) will be closed to through traffic after the existing ramps at US 51 on County U are closed on Thursday, June 13. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained.
- Cassidy Drive (at County K) is permanently closed. Crews are constructing a cul-de-sac. Access to Cassidy Drive from Merrill Avenue remains.
- Overlook Drive (County U to Merrill Avenue), County U (east of US 51 to Business 51), and Merrill Avenue (at Overlook Drive) are closed to through traffic. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained.
- Merrill Avenue at the intersection of County U will be permanently closed once Overlook Drive from Merrill Avenue to County K is opened.
- Motorists on northbound and southbound US 51 can expect to encounter single lane closures. When lanes are closed on the freeway the speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph. The freeway will be open to two lanes in each direction during peak traffic hours and on weekends.
- County U is closed at US 51 and will remain closed through September. Traffic is detoured via Westwood Drive and Bridge Street, First Avenue and Third Avenue.
- Motorists on County U at the intersection of Westwood Drive can expect to encounter daytime flagging operations and single lane closures.
Highway: I-39/US 51 Location: Stevens Point to Mosinee
Schedule: March 18 to mid-August 2013
Cost: $3.1 million Description: Crews will improve three bridges between Marathon County C and Locker Road: County C, the WIS 34 interchange, and Locker Road.
Traffic impacts: During construction, motorists on I-39 can expect to encounter single lane closures and speed reductions. When lanes are closed the speed limit is reduced to 55 mph in the work zone.
- WIS 34 at the interchange with I-39 is reduced to one northbound lane; no southbound traffic over the bridge until late June/early July.
- Motorists on northbound I-39, who want to go south on WIS 34 will be detoured via the WIS 153 interchange (Exit 179, Mosinee)
- Motorists on Balsam Road, who want to travel south on WIS 34 or south on I-39, will be detoured via the WIS 153 interchange (Exit 179, Mosinee)
- Motorists are reminded to drive with caution as they approach the work zone. To avoid delays associated with the closure, motorists may want to use alternate routes or allow extra time for travel.
Highway: I-39/US 51 southbound
Location: Between Business 51 and Foxglove Road
Schedule: September 10, 2012 to May 2014 Cost: $12.2 million Description: Crews will reconstruct the southbound I-39/US 51 lanes just south of the Business 51 interchange to north of Foxglove Road. The I-39/US 51 structure over Business 51 will be replaced and widened. The structure over the Wisconsin River will be re-decked and widened.
Traffic impacts: I-39/US 51 northbound and southbound is open to two lanes of traffic with a reduced speed limit of 55 mph through the work zone.
- The on-ramp to northbound I-39/US 51 from Business 51 (Exit 185) in Rothschild is closed. The ramp will remain closed until late August 2013. Traffic is detoured via Business 51 and WIS 29. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow more travel time to avoid delays.
- Business 51 is open to a single lane of traffic in each direction.
Highway: WIS 29
Location: Between WIS 107 and County O
Schedule: August 13, 2012 to mid-November 2013 Cost: $23.5 million Description: Improvements include: installation of a storm sewer system to collect rainwater and snowmelt; conversion of the two-way, center turn lane into a safety barrier median; removal of all existing at grade intersections besides 144th Avenue which will have right-in and right-out access provided by westbound WIS 29; Maratech Drive will be extended to 144th Avenue; and County O will be realigned to WIS 29 and a new WIS 29/County O interchange will be constructed.
Traffic impacts:
- Blasting operations are under way on County O, north of WIS 29.
- County O (from WIS 29 to Highland Avenue) is closed. The closure is necessary to continue construction of the new WIS 29/County O interchange and the new alignment of County O, north of WIS 29.
- All side road access to WIS 29 (between WIS 107 and County O), except at 144th Avenue, have been permanently closed. 144th Avenue will remain open to right-in/right-out traffic along westbound WIS 29.
- WIS 29 is reduced to one lane in each direction.
- Motorists are reminded to drive with caution in the work zone and should be prepared to encounter slow moving vehicles.
Oneida County
Highway: US 51(*updated*)
Location: Front Street to Old Hwy 70, Minocqua
Schedule: March 28 to late November 2013 Cost: $4.6 million Description: Crews will reconstruct the roadway; enhance pedestrian and bicycle accommodations via a wider outside travel lane for on-street bike users as well as a wider sidewalk; install a HAWK (High-Intensity Activated crossWalK) crosswalk just south of Rogers Drive; install new street lighting; replace storm, sanitary and water lines.
Traffic impacts: US 51 is reduced to one lane in each direction between Front Street and Old Hwy 70. As work progresses, motorists should be aware that frequent shifting of open traffic lanes may be necessary to accommodate work operations. Crews plan to maintain at least one lane of traffic in each direction for the majority of the project. At times, traffic may be reduced to a single lane with flagging operations. Motorists may encounter delays and are reminded to use caution when traveling through the work zone. All sidewalks within the project limits are closed. Pedestrians that typically use these routes should consider other alternatives.
Waupaca County
Highway: WIS 49 and WIS 161 (*updated*)
Location: Waupaca County J to east intersection with WIS 49, and WIS 161 to Anderson Road, Iola
Schedule: May 6 to June 17, 2013
Cost: $611,500
Description: Crews will resurface the roadway with new asphalt.
Traffic impacts: During construction WIS 49 and WIS 161 will remain open to traffic with temporary daytime lane closures and flagging operations. Motorists can expect some delays. During the flagging operations for milling and paving, parking areas will be closed. One side of parking throughout the village will remain open at all times. No work will be allowed during the Iola Car Show or the Vintage Military show.
Wood County
Highway: WIS 73/80 (*updated*)
Location: Yellow River bridge (Pittsville); Rocky Creek (Pittsville); and two Beaver Creek bridges (south of Marshfield)
Schedule: June 3 to late November 2013
Cost: $3.2million
Description: Crews are replacing four bridges.
Traffic impacts: WIS 73/80 is closed between River Loop Lane and Wilderness Road. The closure is necessary for crews to replace the structures over the Yellow River and Rocky Creek. Traffic is being detoured via Wood County A, County N and WIS 80 until late August. Work on the Rocky Creek bridge is scheduled to begin July 8. The Beaver Creek bridge work will begin in September.
Highway: WIS 73
Location: WIS 13/73 intersection, town of Saratoga
Schedule: April 15 to November 1, 2013
Cost: $2.9 million
Description: Crews will realign WIS 73 from Seven Mile Creek to WIS 13, continuing west on WIS 73, and ending just east of Carousel Court; shifting the roadway onto existing Mill Avenue. Improvements include storm sewer installation, intersection improvements, added turn lanes, median islands, lighting and traffic signals. The south intersection of WIS 13 and WIS 73 will be removed. Existing WIS 73 (new Branding Iron Court), east of WIS 13 will be resurfaced.
Traffic impacts: WIS 73 and WIS 13 are reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction. Mill Avenue, between WIS 13 and 52nd Street, is closed to through traffic until late September. Access for local traffic to businesses and residences will be maintained.
Motorists are reminded to drive with caution in the work zone and should be prepared to encounter slow moving trucks 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.
For more information regarding traffic impacts in the North Central Region:
- Call 5-1-1 or visit www.511wi.gov
- Follow us on Twitter: @511WI_NoCentral
Alerts and updates provided via these sites are not intended for use while driving. When driving, your focus should always be on driving.