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. Construction-related traffic impacts are subject to change and are dependent on favorable weather conditions and construction status.
Adams County
Highway: WIS 21
Location: Carter Creek Bridge, town of Preston
Schedule: July 8 to mid-October 2013
Cost: $631,000
Description: Crews will replace the bridge.
Traffic impacts: WIS 21 will remain open to traffic during construction using temporary traffic signals at the bridge. Motorists can also expect to encounter some delays, flagging operations, single lane closures, and 11 foot width restrictions. The 11th Avenue intersection with WIS 21 will be closed throughout construction.
Lincoln County
Highway: WIS 17 (*added*)
Location: Between Dump Road and the north Lincoln County line
Schedule: July 29 to September 2013
Cost: $1.1 million
Description: Crews will resurface the highway.
Traffic impacts: The highway will remain open to traffic during construction. Motorists can expect to encounter daytime lane closures and flagging operations.
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 repair the concrete surface and 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. When lanes are closed the speed limit is reduced to 55 mph. Some flagging operations will be necessary at the interchange ramps.
Highway: US 51 (*updated*)
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.
Marathon County
Highway: WIS 153
Location: Maple Street to Park Street, village of Elderon
Schedule: July 16 to November 2013 Cost: $1.3 million Description: Crews will reconstruct WIS 153, the intersection of WIS 49/153, and upgrade storm sewer.
Traffic impacts: WIS 153 is closed and detoured via I-39, WIS 29, and WIS 49. WIS 153 will remain open to local traffic and emergency services only. Pedestrian access will be maintained on the north side of WIS 153.
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:
- Motorists can expect periodic, temporary closures of interchange ramps.
- Periodic (15 to 20 minute) daytime closures (between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.) of US 51 will be required for blasting operations beginning Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2.Additional blasting may be required as work progresses.
- Motorists on northbound and southbound US 51 can expect to encounter single lane closures during off-peak hours. 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. County U traffic is detoured via Overlook Drive and County K.
- Merrill Avenue at the intersection of County U is permanently closed.
- Cassidy Drive (at County K) is permanently closed. Access to Cassidy Drive will remain from Merrill Avenue.
- The temporary northbound US 51 off-ramp to County K is open. 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 is open. The southbound US 51 on-ramp from County U will be closed and will remain closed through September.
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. The Locker Road bridge is closed until August 16.
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:
- Southbound I-39/US 51 will remain open to traffic with an occasional daytime single lane closure. The work zone has a reduced speed limit of 55 mph.
- Northbound I-39/US 51 is open to two lanes 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.
Marquette County
Highway: WIS 73 (*updated*)
Location: White River Bridge (Neshkoro) to WIS 21 (east of Wautoma)
Schedule: July 22 to August 29, 2013
Cost: $1.9 million
Description: Crews are resurfacing the roadway.
Traffic impacts: The highway will remain open to traffic but motorists can expect to encounter daytime lane closures and flagging operations. Motorists may want to allow extra time for travel or take a different route.
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 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (also referred to as a HAWK “High-Intensity Activated crosswalk”) crosswalk just south of Rogers Drive; install new street lighting; replace storm, sanitary and water lines.
Traffic impacts: All lanes are open. There is no work planned on the roadway again until September. Crews are expecting to activate the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB), south of Rogers Drive, before the end of the day Wednesday, July 31. For more information on the PHB crosswalk and how it operates visit the WisDOT Web site http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/phb/index.htm
Vilas County
Highway: WIS 47 (*updated*)
Location: West Bolton Lake Lane (Woodruff) to County D (Lac du Flambeau)
Schedule: July 15 to early October 2013
Cost: $3.5 million
Description: Crews will replace pavement, make intersection improvements, improve drainage, and place curb and gutter within the urban area of the project.
Traffic impacts: Two lanes will remain open during the majority of construction using flagging operations. County D at the intersection with WIS 47 will close for approximately one week. Beginning Monday, August 5, WIS 47 (north of Fence Lake Lane) will be detoured via County H and US 51 for approximately ten days.
Waushara County
Highway: WIS 73 (*updated*)
Location: White River Bridge (Neshkoro) to WIS 21 (east of Wautoma)
Schedule: July 22, 2013 to August 29, 2013
Cost: $1.9 million
Description: Crews are resurfacing the roadway
Traffic impacts: The highway will remain open to traffic but motorists can expect to encounter daytime lane closures and flagging operations. Motorists may want to allow extra time for travel or take a different route.
Wood County
Highway: WIS 54 and WIS 173 (*added*)
Location: WIS 54 (WIS 80 to Wood County G), and WIS 173 (Cranberry Ditch Crossing bridge to County GG)
Schedule: August 5 to October 2013
Cost: $2.8 million
Description: Crews are resurfacing the highway, correcting a substandard curve to meet current design standards, and replacing a culvert.
Traffic impacts: WIS 54 will be closed to through traffic for approximately five weeks beginning August 8. During the closure through traffic will be detoured via WIS 80, WIS 173 and WIS 73. Access to adjacent businesses and residences will be maintained. During the remainder of construction motorists on WIS 54 and WIS 173 can expect to encounter daytime single lane closures and flagging operations. To avoid delays motorists are advised to plan ahead or find an alternate route.
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 detoured via Wood County A, County N and WIS 80 until early September. 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:
- Follow us on Twitter: @511WI_NoCentral for regional alerts from the Traffic Incident Alert System and for construction related traffic advisories.
- Check the Wisconsin Department of Transportation 511 Web site: www.511wi.gov
Alerts and updates provided via these sites are not intended for use while driving. When driving, your focus should always be on driving.