MONROE — Despite the early-week rains, work on the intersection of Wis. 81 and County Highway T is continuing apace south of Brodhead — major changes officials hope will cut down on the number of fatalities and overall crashes there.
The key feature is a roundabout to replace stop signs, where a number of fatal accidents have occurred. Among the crashes at the intersection: On June 22, a 26-year-old from Winnebago died in a head-on crash at the intersection. Several others were killed there in 2023, and there were 13 total crashes reported in a 2015 to 2019 study, with failure to yield or failure to stop being the cause, authorities said.
During the work, according to state officials, the intersection remains effectively closed, with traffic being rerouted on Wis. 11, and Wis. 213.
But that work is only one of scores of projects underway. Construction zones are a sign of summer, and the detours frustrating, but authorities note the improvements in safety and convenience. In addition to the roundabout project, other areas of major road work in the region this summer include:
● A $7.7 million project to resurface Wis. 69, from Bushnell Creek Lane and Cow Path Lane. The project is to improve 12.5 miles of pavement. Additional improvements include installation of centerline, new guardrail and shoulder rumble strips. Periodic detours and closures are expected this summer, but for the most part the highway should be at least partially open.
● Another major intersection improvement, with a roundabout installed, is underway in Lafayette County. The $3.5 million project will reconstruct the Wis. 23 intersection with Wis. 11 into a roundabout. During construction, Wis. 11 remains open to traffic, with flagging operations. It’s expected to be complete in early July.
● At the municipal level, Blanchardville is enduring a major reconstruction project to Wis. 81 and South Main Street. It also includes Mill Street from Wis. 78 to Mason Street, and Elm Street heading from Wis. 78 to mid-block heading toward Mason Street.
● In Monroe major work is underway along 31st and 32nd Avenues, culminating in a roundabout being constructed at the intersection of 13th Street, County K and County KK. The work-including numerous related improvements on the far east side near Northside School in advance of the opening this fall of a new Monroe High School. The intersection of 6th Street at 32nd Avenue (across from the Justice Center) is closing for the new intersection to be installed. Cheesemaker Way, which will be built through the new Richland Heights subdivision north of the new high school and east of Northside Elementary, will also be finished this summer, connecting with 8 1/2 Street. Sidewalks will be completed along 32nd and 31st Avenues, as well as side streets. Traffic along 31st Avenue is closed to through traffic during construction.
The local projects are among 400 highway projects planned for the state, according to the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation.
“As our team get ready for another robust construction season, the safety of crews, industry partners, and the traveling public remains our priority,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman, in a news release at the start of the season. “With construction projects planned in every county of the state, we urge motorists to plan ahead, know before you go with 511 Wisconsin, and always drive with causation in work zones.”
In 2027, two more roundabouts are scheduled for installation — one at the intersection of County GG, Wis. 11 and Wis. 81 outside of Brodhead, and the other along Wis. 11/81 at County S in Juda.