Contact: State Patrol Sgt. Tim McGrath (office) 920-929-3700, ext. 3004 (cell) 920-960-5304
When the EAA AirVenture turns Oshkosh into a beehive of aviation activity from Monday, July 25 to Sunday, July 31, hundreds of thousands of visitors will be traveling to and from Wittman Regional Airport each day.
“The annual EAA AirVenture is one of the biggest traffic safety challenges we face all year. But this year’s event will be even more challenging because of the extensive reconstruction of US 41, which is the main route through Winnebago County into Oshkosh,” says Wisconsin State Patrol Sgt. Tim McGrath.
According to Sgt. McGrath, motorists should be particularly cautious in the following areas:
* Construction continues along 13 miles of US 41 in Winnebago County with 11-foot-wide lanes. Shoulders are reduced to one-foot widths and lined with concrete barriers. Speed limits in the work zones are reduced to 55 mph and are strictly enforced.
* The US 41 and US 45 interchange in Oshkosh is closed for reconstruction. The detour for US 45 is from US 41 onto WIS 76 to US 10 and then to US 45.
* The 9th Avenue interchange in Oshkosh has just re-opened except for the southbound ramps.
To prevent traffic crashes during the EAA AirVenture, the State Patrol is reminding motorists to be patient, slow down and pay strict attention to rapidly changing road and traffic conditions, especially in work zones. Fines for traffic violations in work zones are double the usual amount when workers are present. Posted work zone speed limits are still in force even when workers are not present.
For the latest information on construction and incidents that may affect highway travel, motorists should use the state’s 511 traveler information system by dialing 511 on a phone or visiting http://www.511wi.gov on the Web. Information on US 41 construction projects is available on the Web at http://www.us41wisconsin.gov.
