MONROE — After remaining stagnant all winter, the Wisconsin 11 project was back in full swing starting Friday, March 20 as crews got back to work on the project.
Fehr Graham Engineering & Environmental Senior Engineering Technician Ken Plowman said the mild winter helped with getting crews to work early.
“Everything with the winter shutdown went well,” Plowman said. “We’re getting started earlier than some springs.”
Plowman said upcoming changes will include a traffic switch, closing the Wis. 81 on and off ramp. That ramp was closed before winter hit, but because work couldn’t be finished before then, a crossover was built to allow it to reopen for convenience during the colder months.
The north and south Wis. 69 ramps will stay closed, as they were throughout the winter and will reopen in about a month. Detours will be adjusted and traffic will be allowed back on County DR and County N.
The Wis. 59 and County N ramps will be open for drivers to travel west. Signed detours will be set up on Wis. 59/DR and 8th Street/County N/6th Avenue to help direct drivers, Plowman said.
County KK, Stauffacher, Richland and Hiltbrand Roads will be open, but only for right turns onto the side roads and onto Wis. 11. Traffic shouldn’t turn left on or off of these side roads. Traffic also shouldn’t cross Wis. 11 at these side roads.
Plowman added that short-term closures during paving might also be necessary during this final stretch of construction work.
Depending on weather, the project is slated for full completion by late April or early May, Plowman said.
Work for the final phase of the project includes concrete paving a section of Wis. 11, asphalt shouldering and gravel. Later, pavement marking, signs, and other finishing touches will be done to complete the project, Plowman said.
The crew started work Friday after snow melted, Plowman said. They also gave a 7-day notice on message boards and informed the 511 Wisconsin site to enter information for oversized vehicle rules and guidance.
“By the time everything came together, Friday is the soonest we could get going,” Plowman said.
In early December 2019 the project was pushed to 2020. Although the area saw warmer temperatures in later November after an unseasonable below-freezing first half, effects of the cold lingered in the form of frozen ground — also freezing the project at that time.
As far as restrictions for COVID-19, Plowman said it’s not currently affecting his crews, but they are following guidance from the CDC and practicing social distancing as recommended.
The overhaul of nearly 6 miles on Wis. 11 began in late March 2019 for the reconstruction of the highway and its bypasses. The project is addressing the deteriorating concrete and poor ride quality between Wis. 81 and Hiltbrand Lane and includes work on ramps at Wis. 11, 69 and 59. Work will also improve the intersections with County KK, Stauffacher Road, Richland Road and Hiltbrand.