Posted Thursday, May 28, 2009 --- 5:00 p.m.

Orange barrels are popping up all across Southern Wisconsin as construction season is upon us. Jeff Gust with Wisconsin DOT says, "I think it's a little bit busier, we have a few more projects."

The 5th and final stage of construction on East Washington is happening at Highway 30 through the first of December. Crews there are doing ramp and bridge work which has Hwy 30 down to one lane, and only 2 of 3 lanes will be open on E. Washington.

Along Highway MM and 138, Gust says, "We are adding 2 additional lanes, it's kind of where the end of the 4 lane section of Hwy 14 is and we're going to be extending the 4 lane section up to Hwy 138." Crews will be working here through the end of October.

Also along Highway 14 from Black Earth to Mazomanie, crews are making improvements to a dangerous intersection at Hwy 78. Then, starting June 22nd, they will be relaying asphalt. That section of road will be closed to all, but local traffic. Detours will be posted. Construction will last through August. Gust says, "Just be patient with us and remember to still frequent the businesses that are along the construction projects because we still try to keep, maintain access to them."

The City of Madison is also working on a few construction projects. Probably the biggest one is along University where they're fixing some of the section of the roadway that are worn out. Road work is happening at the Campus Drive and Gorham Street Corridor from Shorewood Boulevard to State St. Construction will end September 1st West of Park Street. And, east of Park, by the end of September.

Planned for July, construction will begin on the off ramps at Fish Hatchery Road, similar to the work done on Rimrock and Park Streets. The state will also be adding a barrier wall on the Beltline between Verona and Whitney Roads.

Here is information from WisDOT.

Beginning May 24 to May 31, 2009, motorists can expect the following construction related traffic impacts in the following locations in southwest Wisconsin:

Columbia
Highway: I-39/90/94
Location: Safety Rest Area No. 11 and No. 12
Schedule: 2009
Description: New Rest Area Construction
Traffic Impact: Various short duration lane and rest area closures
Contact: Tim Verhage, Mead & Hunt, 608-635-3822, tim.verhage@meadhunt.com
or Reiny Yahnke, WisDOT, (608) 795-9050, reiny.yahnke@dot.wisconsin.gov

Dane County
Highway: US 14
Location: Mazomanie - Cross Plains Road, WIS 78 Intersection
Description: Reconstruction of US 14, WIS 78 intersection.
Milling and relaying existing asphaltic pavement and new asphaltic pavement. Intersection improvements, curb and gutter, signing, and pavement markings.
Schedule: April 15-Aug. 31, 2009
Traffic Impact: Expect some traffic delays during off-peak hours as the contractor completes their work using a flagging operation. >From June 22 until August 31, traffic will be detoured off of US 14 using WIS 78 to WIS 19 to US 12 to US 14. WIS 78 traffic will be detoured onto County F to WIS 19 to WIS 78. Expect some delays on the detour routes especially at intersections.
Contact: Curt Neuhauser, (608) 245-2676

Highway: US 151 (East Washington Avenue)
Location: Marquette Street to Pinecrest Drive, Madison
Schedule: February to December 2009
Description: Reconstruction of East Washington Avenue and bridge replacement over WIS 30. Includes reconstruction of Aberg Avenue/WIS 30 from McCormick Avenue to the railroad track east of Fair Oaks Avenue. The project includes work on Commercial Avenue (WIS 30 Frontage Roads), Fair Oaks Avenue between the two frontage roads, and the ramps at Fair Oaks Avenue. The project will reconstruct all the ramps at the East Washington Avenue and WIS 30 interchange.
Traffic Impact: Traffic on East Washington Avenue is reduced to 2-lanes in each direction except for inbound East Washington Avenue traffic at WIS 30 is reduced to one lane. Traffic on WIS 30 is reduced to one lane in each direction. Additional lane closures may occur during off peak travel times. Side streets may also be closed at various times during the construction period. Rethke Avenue is anticipated to be closed starting Tuesday May 26th to complete water main, storm sewer and concrete pavement.
Contact: Rob Phillips (City of Madison), (608) 266-4090, rphillips@cityofmadison.com and Curt Neuhauser, (608) 245-2676 (office), curt.neuhauser@dot.state.wi.us

Highway: US 14
Location: Oregon Bypass (County MM to WIS 138)
Schedule: April 20-Sept. 9, 2009
Description: Expect some traffic delays during off-peak hours as the contractor completes their work using a flagging operation. From June 15 to August 31, traffic will be detoured off of US 14 using WIS 78 to WIS 19 to US 12 to US 14. WIS 78 traffic will be detoured onto County F to WIS 19 to WIS 78. Expect some delays on the detour routes especially at intersections. US 14 will be open to local traffic for the duration.
Traffic Impact: One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times.
Contact: Curt Neuhauser, (608) 245-2676

Dodge County
Highway: WIS 33
Location: Columbia Street to Palmatory Street
Schedule: March 16-Nov. 20, 2009
Description: Urban Reconstruct
Traffic Impact: WIS 33 is closed to thru traffic. A posted detour directs travelers to WIS 26, WIS 60 and WIS 67
Contact: Teri Schopp, Project Manager, (608) 516-6467 (cell), teri.schopp@dot.state.wi.us

Grant County
Highway: WIS 133
Location: County N - Cassville
Schedule: March 16-Nov. 22, 2009
Description: Reconstruction of WIS 133 - Grading, new pavement, etc
Traffic Impact: Road will be closed to through traffic with a detour in place. Detour will use WIS 81 and WIS 35 from Cassville to Potosi
Contact: Tim Maedke, P.E. (608) 789-6317

Iowa County
Highway: WIS 80
Location: (County I - County P)
Schedule: April 13-Sept. 15, 2009
Description: Reconstruction of 3.94 miles of WIS 80 north of Highland
Traffic Impact: Road Closed with a detour that uses County G and WIS 133
Contact: Tadd J. Owens (608) 516-6451

Jefferson County
Highway: WIS 26
Location: Jefferson Bypass (US 18 to Jahn Road)
Schedule: May 18, 2009 to August 2010
Description: New alignment, North half of Jefferson Bypass
Traffic Impact: Minor delays to cross streets and side roads
Contact: Teri Schopp at (608) 516-6467 or teri.schopp@dot.state.wi.us or Jeff Kaarto / 608-516-6445

LaFayette County
Highway: WIS 23
Location: From WIS 81 West/WIS 23/County Shop Road intersection south to WIS 11
Description: Milling and overlay, adding additional beam guard
Schedule: April 29-June 19, 2009.
Traffic Impact: One lane closure but road will be open to thru traffic.
Contact: Carrie Johnson, project leader (815) 238-4994

La Crosse County
Highway: I-90
Location: West Salem - East County Line (.65 miles east of County C to East County Line)
Schedule: I-90: May 6-July 3, 2009; County J: March 23-July 3, 2009; WIS 162: April 9-June 26, 2009; Eastbound I-90 Rest Area #15: May 6 to July 3, 2009
Description: Pavement Replacement with Structure Work
Traffic Impact: I-90 counter-directional traffic. Single lane of eastbound and westbound traffic on westbound roadway. County J closed. WIS 162 lane restriction. Eastbound I-90 rest area #15 closed.
Contact: Travis Giese (608)-386-3023

Highway: I-90
Location: BNSF Railroad Bridges over Oak St. in Onalaska, WI
Schedule: May 4 to early July 2009
Description: Bridge Painting
Traffic Impact: Temporary shoulder closures
Contact: Reiny Yahnke, WisDOT 608-785-9050, reiny.yahnke@dot.wisconsin.gov

Monroe & Juneau County
Highway: I-90/94 and I-94
Location: Tomah to Camp Douglas/WIS 21 to County C
Schedule: I-90: May 8-Oct. 16, 2009; I-94 and I-90/94: March 23-May 22, 2009
Description: Crossover construction and structure work.
Traffic Impact: I-90 single lane closures eastbound and westbound roadways. I-94 and I-90/94 single lane closures eastbound and westbound roadways 6:00 a.m. Monday to 12:00 noon Friday.
Contact: Chris Dahl (608)-792-5809

Rock County
Highway: WIS 59
Location: Janesville - Fort Atkinson Road
Schedule: April 27-Nov. 13, 2009
Description: The project includes relocating WIS 59 on the east side of the City of Milton, to the south so that the new intersection of WIS 59 and WIS 26 is located across from St. Mary Street. WIS 59 will then match back into the existing WIS 59 just west of Vickerman Road. Work includes excavation, base course, storm sewer, concrete and asphalt pavement, curb and gutter, structures, lighting, signing, landscaping, and other incidentals to complete the project.
Traffic Impact: Much of the project will be completed without affecting existing traffic. As the project progresses, work will begin on WIS 26, WIS 59, County M, and Townline Road in order to complete the tie-ins for the proposed WIS 59. This will be done with lane closures. Additionally, the intersection of County M and Townline Road will be closed for 30 days. During this time, County M traffic will be detoured using County KK and existing WIS 59.
Contact: Tara Weiss, (608) 516-1725 cell phone

Highway: I-43
Location: I 39 to WIS 140
Description: Existing roadway will be rubbized and overlaid with asphalt, concrete overlays on bridge decks, installation of a virtual weigh station.
Schedule: April 20, 2009 to November 14, 2009
Traffic Impact: Single lane of traffic both directions
Contact: Doug Sina (608) 516-3864

Sauk County
Highway: WIS 78
Location: Prairie Du Sac - Merrimac Road and Main Street, Village of Merrimac
Description: Prairie Du Sac - Weynand Rd and Weynand Rd - North Village Limits
Schedule: March 16 - November 25. 2009
Traffic Impact: Road closed. WIS 78 detoured (US 12 - WIS 159 - County DL). Local access only from the Ferry in Merrimac to WIS 113 north. Beginning July 15, 2009, this section will also be closed.
Contact: Robert Lex (608) 246-5622

Highway: US 12
Location: I 90/94 - Baraboo
Schedule: April 6, 2009 - November 19, 2010
Description: Work continues along the new US 12 by-pass corridor with clearing & grubbing work, building removals, grading operations, and culvert placements. Temporary roadway connections to the existing US 12 highway will be taking place from the I-90/94 area (Exit 92) to south of Fern Dell Road.
Traffic Impact: Terrytown Road is closed to through traffic, (no detour posted). Shoulder closures are in place for work on Moon Road and Fern Dell Road. Existing US 12 traffic will encounter intermittent short-term lane closures around the I-90/94 interchange area by Lake Delton, (Exit 92) for construction of the temporary road connections to existing US 12. Flagging of traffic on WIS 33 and Old Hwy 33 will continue to allow the contractor to haul material from the south end of the project north to North Reedsburg Road.
Contact: Dale Merten, Field Office: (608) 254-1913 e-mail: Dale.Merten@dot.wi.gov

Motorists can use several strategies to get through construction zones with a minimum of stress:
· Buckle up for safety.
· Know where construction zones are located and allow extra time; dial 511 or log onto www.511wi.gov
· Avoid peak travel hours.
· Watch for special messages on electronic message boards.
· Slow down, get into the correct lane early, and merge cautiously.
· Take an alternate route.