Projects include I-43 from Elkhorn to Rock County
As many area drivers have encountered, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation recently began rehabilitation work along 16 miles of Interstate 43, from Highway 12 in Elkhorn to the Rock County line.
The improvements, which began in March, are expected to be complete by the fall of 2021.
According to the DOT, the existing pavement along this stretch of I-43 has been showing signs of needed improvements. Four of the existing bridge structures along the interstate are in need of deck replacements based on the condition of each structure. In addition, numerous other structures will undergo various minor improvements.
Work to be done will include the following:
- Patching, joint repair and diamond grinding on 16 miles of the existing I-43 concrete pavement;
- Bridge deck repair on the interstate over Highway 12 and Centralia Street near Elkhorn, and County X near Darien;
- 30 structures throughout the corridor will receive a variety of improvements such as concrete deck overlays and steel girder painting;
- Minor drainage improvements such as cleaning culvert pipes and repairing damaged or deficient drainage structures.
The interstate will remain open to traffic during construction and single-lane closures in each direction will be staggered and limited to four miles in length.
Drivers should expect overnight, short-term ramp and adjacent crossroad closures.
Long-term, alternating ramp closures will be needed during the project to allow for bridge deck replacements at the County Road X, Highway 67 and Highway 12 interchanges though consecutive ramps will not be closed at the same time, according to the DOT.
Efforts will be made to minimize the times when concurrent long-term ramp closures are in place at both the Highway 67 and Highway 12 interchanges, according to the DOT, and detours will be posted.
There may also be a few, intermittent overnight full freeway closures for storm sewer/culvert crossing repairs.
More projects in county
There is work being done along Highway 11 between Highway 14 and Turtle Creek Drive, in the Town of Darien and City of Delavan.
Improvements for that area include reconstruction of the road and replacement of the box culvert between Pinks Lane and Highway 14; construction of a cul-de-sac at Pinks Lane, which will eliminate the intersection at Highway 11; and resurfacing from Pinks Lake to Turtle Creek Drive including the bridge over Turtle Creek.
Drivers should be aware Highway 11 will be closed through late August for the project. The detour will route traffic via Interstate 43 between Highway 50 and Highway 14.
Access will be maintained for local traffic, however, with the structure work, locals may also need to utilize the detour route pending their destination.
Per the DOT, the bridge over Turtle Creek will not be closed to locals simultaneously when the area between Pinks Lane and Highway 14 is closed.
Another project on the horizon in the Delavan area is that of a concrete bridge deck overlay (Jackson Creek bridge) on Highway 50 in the inlet near the boat launch. That project is expected to begin in early June and take roughly three weeks to complete.
A detour is expected to route traffic around that area via Highway 67 and Mound Road.
For more information about these projects visit https://projects.511wi.gov.
As always, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation asks that motorists use caution when driving through work zones.
