WisDOT: Few highway projects to impede July 4th weekend travelers

For more information, contact:

Don Greuel, Project Development

(608) 267-7774, donald.greuel@dot.wi.gov

Major Dan Lonsdorf, director, Bureau of Transportation Safety

(608) 266-3048, daniel.lonsdorf@dot.wi.gov

But don’t drink and drive; Tougher new drunk driving law goes into effect July 1

Most major highway construction projects will be put on hold through the July 4th holiday weekend, but there will still be some orange barrels mixing in with the red, white, and blue theme for the weekend. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), among the highways where travelers may find lane restrictions include I-94 south of Milwaukee, I-94 east of Madison, and Highways 41 near Oshkosh and 172 at Green Bay.

“Our workers continue to make progress on projects large and small throughout the state,” said WisDOT’s Don Greuel. “While many work zones will be opened up to traffic for the holiday, we still encourage motorists to slow down, leave a little extra space, and stay alert for lane shifts, narrow lanes, and rough pavement.”

Most work will cease in work zones by noon on Friday, July 2 and won’t resume until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6.

While construction and maintenance crews will be joining much of the rest of the nation in celebrating the July 4th weekend, Wisconsin State Patrol and other law enforcement officers will remain on the job.

Wisconsin’s new drunk driving law goes into effect July 1, creating even tougher penalties for motorists who drive impaired. “Under the new law, courts will order an ignition interlock device to be installed on every vehicle owned by a first-time offender who has a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher and for anyone convicted of two or more OWI offenses,” said Major Dan Lonsdorf of the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Lonsdorf added that officers will also be enforcing the state’s mandatory, primary seat belt law, noting that consistent safety belt use provides the most effective protection against being ejected from a vehicle or thrown around violently inside it during a crash.

Lonsdorf said peak travel times during the July 4th weekend are expected to be from noon until 8 p.m. on both Friday, July 2 and Monday, July 5.

For up-to-the-minute information on work zones and incidents that may affect travel, motorists may use the state’s 511 traveler information system. That’s accessed by dialing 511 on a telephone or cell phone or going to 511wi.gov.

Among work zones July 4th weekend travelers may encounter include (number correlates to position of accompanying map):

1. I-94 between Illinois State Line and WIS 50, 4.6 miles. Reconstruction reduces traffic to two lanes in each direction with all traffic on one side of the median. Additionally, the I-94/County C interchange is closed. Use WIS 50 or WIS 165 as alternate routes. Expect delays during peak travel periods.

2. I-94 at Racine County G, 1 mile. Reconstruction of Interstate reduces traffic to two lanes northbound, three southbound with all traffic on one side of the median. Additionally, the northbound ramps are closed at County G. Use County K as an alternate route. Expect delays during peak travel periods.

3. I-94 between College and Layton Avenues in Milwaukee County, 3 miles. Auxiliary lanes are closed. Additionally, the I-94 and Layton Avenue interchange and northbound exit to Howard Avenue are closed. Use College Avenue as an alternate route. Expect delays during peak travel periods.

4. WIS 11 west of Burlington, 5.5 miles. Reconstruction has closed highway with detour via WIS 36 and WIS 120.

5. Reconstruction of I-43 bridge over WIS 164 requires 11-foot width restriction through the work zone. Two lanes open in each direction.

6. US 41 between WIS 44 and Breezewood Lane, 16 miles. Shoulders are closed in several locations in the work zone. There’s an 11 foot width restriction on southbound US 41 over the Lake Butte des Morts causeway just north of Oshkosh.

7. WIS 49 between Poy Sippi and the Waushara/Waupaca County line, 10 miles. Bridge and culvert replacement requires traffic to be controlled by temporary traffic signals and an 11-foot width restriction.

8. WIS 76 between Greenville and Stephensville, 4.8 miles. Pavement replacement has closed highway with detour via Outagamie County highways JJ, A, S and WIS 76.

9. WIS 47 from Black Creek to WIS 29, 17.4 miles. WIS 47 is closed with a detour via WIS 54, WIS 55, and WIS 29. Access to local residences and businesses is available.

10. WIS 172 at Green Bay, 5.5 miles. Traffic on WIS 172 is reduced to two lanes westbound and one lane eastbound. The US 41 northbound to WIS 172 eastbound ramp is closed, as are the Vanderperren Way on and off ramps, the Riverside Drive to WIS 172 westbound ramp, the south loop ramp from WIS 172 eastbound to Riverside Drive, and the south connector ramp between Riverside Drive and Webster Avenue.

11. US 41 between Suamico and Abrams, 9 miles. Work zone with no lane restrictions expected through the holiday weekend.

12. WIS 64 between the east Oconto County Line and WIS 32, 12.3 miles. Pavement replacement has closed highway. Detour via WIS 32, Oconto County M, Oconto County B/Z and WIS 64.

13. I-94 between Dane County N and I-39/90 (Badger) Interchange, 5.2 miles. All traffic shifted to one side of the median with speed reduced to 55 mph and 11-foot width restriction through the work zone. Two lanes open in each direction.

14. US 12 between Lake Delton and Baraboo, 5.7 miles. Construction of new US 12 affects traffic at intersection just south of I-90/94. Eastbound US 12 traffic will use three new roundabouts at that location; Westbound US 12 will use two new roundabouts. There are no lane restrictions or detours, however, expect delays at those locations during peak travel times.

15. WIS 33 between Dodge County A and Trenton Street at Fox Lake, 1 mile. WIS 33 is closed with detour via US 151 and Dodge County A.

16. WIS 44 between Kingston to Green Lake County H, 2.3 miles. Highway is closed with detour via WIS 33 and WIS 73. Access to local residences and businesses is available.

17. WIS 153 Mosinee high and low bridges, 1.8 miles. Bridge and road work reduces traffic to one lane in each direction with a 10-foot width restriction.

18. US 51/WIS 29 in Wausau, 6 miles. Two lanes open in each direction. WIS 52 onramp to southbound US 51 is closed. Traffic is detoured via WIS 52, 28th Avenue and Sherman Street.

19. WIS 64 in Merrill, 1 mile. WIS 64 is closed with detour via Lincoln County Z and County K. Access to local residences and businesses is available.

20. US 53 between US 8 and 26th Avenue in Barron County, 12 miles. Traffic is shifted to one side of the median with one lane open in each direction.

21. WIS 23 in Sheboygan County, 10 miles. WIS 23 between County P and WIS 32 will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

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