MONROE — Colder than average weather threatens the Wisconsin 11 project timeline, but there’s still a chance to get back on track.
“Early cold temperatures have affected progress right now,” said Ken Plowman, Fehr Graham Engineering & Environmental senior engineering technician, on Nov. 11. The project was previously slated for completion by the end of the year.
According to weather.com, Monroe’s historical monthly average low for November is 28 degrees Fahrenheit. So far this month it’s already gotten down to 13 degrees. Monroe has also already seen several inches of snow.
“If we get back to normal, historical average temperatures, they’ll continue to make progress,” Plowman said.
Next week is projected to be warmer.
“We’re kind of at the mercy of the elements,” said Michael Bie, communications manager for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
“It’s hard to speculate right now,” Bie said, noting that a break in the weather would allow paving to resume. “We’re hoping next week to have a better idea of how much more work we’ll be able to complete late into the fall.”
If that doesn’t happen, he said, contingency plans are being looked at for possible shutdown of the project during the winter months, to resume when temperatures allow in 2020.
“The next few weeks will determine our course of action,” Bie said.
Last month, Plowman was confident that winter’s cold wouldn’t seriously hurt the timeline. But that assessment was based on historical averages, he said later, not the low temperatures Monroe has seen this year.
Calculating the average low for Nov. 1 through 10 yields 24.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and that drops further if frigid projected lows for Nov. 11 through 15 are included, which range from 5 to 21 degrees. Starting on Nov. 16 and into the following week, however, lows are projected to range from the mid-20s to low 30s.
The overhaul of nearly 6 miles on Wis. 11 began in late March 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.