UPDATED: Friday, July 3, 2009 --- 5:30 p.m.

There's nothing anyone can do to completely prevent crashes and make travel easier but the DOT is taking a break to help.

In only one year the challenges facing drivers have completely changed.

Last summer's flood waters did a number on our roads, among the problems, sending fourth of July travelers criss crossing the area to find new routes to their holiday destinations.

Unlike last year travelers should find most roads open this weekend but it doesn't mean they'll be clear.

The DOT is doing what they can to help.

Engineer Don Greuel says, "We realize that construction can impact and can add to congestion on our highways."

As traffic blazes by the orange barrels you'll actually notice these construction zones are pretty quiet for a Friday.

The remains of yesterdays work sit oddly undisturbed. Normally a flurry of activity, half finished roads are a calm dusty quiet.

The DOT says all of these projects have to be shut down by noon Friday but the reality is a lot of them never even started, shutting down after Thursday night.

Greuel says, "We may have one more lane open than typical but the main thing is to pull the barrels back, give as much room as possible to the traveling public."

Cyndi Jensen is traveling North from Illinois. She says, "It's still pretty tough but it does make a difference if they open the lanes. It doesn't matter if they're working or not but if they physically open another lane it makes it worth it."

As Friday afternoon is already showing those braving the roads need all the help they can get.

Construction won't resume until 6 o'clock Monday morning.

________________________________________________________

POSTED: Friday, July 3, 2009

From the Department of Transportation:

Unlike a year ago when travelers had to dodge roads closed by spring floods, July 4th travelers this year will find most main highways open with few lane restrictions. With the holiday falling on a Saturday, highway construction crews are expected to wrap up their work around noon on Friday, July 3rd and won’t return until 6 a.m. Monday, July 6th.

“Road construction crews know the July 4th weekend is a busy one and they’re doing everything they can to open as many lanes as possible for the holiday rush,” said Don Greuel of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bureau of Project Development. “Even so, motorists should give themselves plenty of extra time to get where they’re going because normal holiday traffic is expected to add to the number of vehicles on the road.”

Greuel noted there are a few road construction projects that may affect travelers, including US 41 at Fond du Lac, WIS 172 at Green Bay, I-43 just east of Beloit, I-90 near Tomah, and I-94 south of Kenosha, north of Tomah, south of Osseo, and west of Eau Claire. Travelers can expect lane restrictions and/or closures at those locations.

In addition to those projects, other work zones can be expected and Greuel advised motorists to be aware of them and watch out for changing conditions. “Work zones often have rough pavement, narrow lanes, lane shifts, lower speed limits, and congestion,” he said. “When you see the signs for a work zone ahead, be prepared to slow down and give extra space to the vehicle ahead of you.”

One way to know where work zones are located is to go to www.511wi.gov and click on either the Lane/Ramp Closures with Detour Info link or click on the map to see a display of work zone locations, as well as information about incidents, camera images, and other useful information.

In addition to work zones, motorists will need to make sure they’re driving sober and within posted speed limits. Law enforcement agencies across the state will be doing their best to keep roads safe from impaired drivers and speeders.

“We want everyone to return home safely from the holiday,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent David Collins said. “Give yourself enough time to get where you’re going, keep your speed in check, drive only when sober and alert, and always wear your safety belt.”

Collins noted that last year, when July 4th fell on a Friday, crashes killed 14 people over the three-day holiday. The last time July 4th fell on a Saturday, in 1998, four people died over the two-day weekend.

Highway work zones that may affect travels during the July 4th holiday period include:

I-94 corridor projects. I-94 south of WIS 50 in Kenosha County, 5 miles. One lane closed and two lanes open in each direction between Kenosha and the Illinois state line. I-894/I-43 between the Mitchell Interchange (I-94, I-894, and I-43) and S. 27th Street in Milwaukee, 1 mile. Westbound lane (right lane) is closed and three lanes are open west of the interchange. Ramp closures include I-894/I-43 ramps at S. 27th Street; I-94 at College Avenue; I-94 at Kenosha County E; I-94 at WIS 158; and I-94 southbound at WIS 165.
I-94 at Calhoun Road, Waukesha County, 0.5 mile. Bridge replacement shifts all lanes of traffic to one side of the median with an 11-foot width restriction and reduced speed limit.
Burlington Bypass, 5.2 miles. Construction of new bypass requires detours for WIS 36 and Racine County P traffic. WIS 36 is detoured via WIS 120 and WIS 11; County P via Market Street, WIS 83 and WIS 50.
I-43 from Beloit to WIS 140, 6.5 miles. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction.
US 41 from US 151 to Military Road at Fond du Lac, 2 miles. US 41 has two lanes open in each direction but no shoulders through the work zone.
US 151 from Fond du Lac County WH to the north Fond du Lac County line, 9 miles. Pavement and bridge work requires detour via County Highways WH and G.
WIS 42 between Sheboygan and Howards Grove, 4 miles. WIS 42 west of Vanguard Drive is closed with a detour via WIS 32, WIS 23, and I-43.
US 10 at WIS 55, 0.3 mile. Reconstruction closes intersection. US 10 detour follows WIS 114 and WIS 32/57. WIS 55 detour follows WIS 114, Calumet County N and Winnebago County CE.
WIS 172 in Green Bay, 5.5 miles. Between US 41 and Webster Avenue, traffic is reduced to one lane eastbound and two lanes westbound. Between Webster Avenue and I-43, traffic is one lane in each direction. Several on and off ramps are also closed.
WIS 44 between Kingston and Markesan, 3.7 miles. Reconstruction of WIS 44 closes highway with detour via WIS 73, Green Lake County X and WIS 44.
WIS 54 west of New London, 0.4 mile. Bridge replacement closes WIS 54 with detour via WIS 22 and US 45.
WIS 153 bridges at Mosinee, 0.5 mile. Bridge repairs limit lanes to 10-foot widths.
I-90 from US 12 to the I-90/94 interchange, 1 mile. Bridge replacement reduces traffic to one lane in each direction.
I-94 from Tomah to Black River Falls, 15.4 miles. Westbound I-94 has 11-foot width restrictions but traffic is open to two lanes in each direction.
I-94 between WIS 95 and Osseo, 15 miles. Traffic limited to one lane in each direction.
I-94 from WIS 312 to WIS 29, 1 mile. Bridge repairs shift all traffic to one side of the median but two lanes are open in each direction.
WIS 64 at the McCann Creek Bridge between Bloomer and Cornell Road, 1 mile. Bridge replacement has closed WIS 64 with detour via Chippewa County GG, County SS, and WIS 124.
US 53 at Barron County SS southbound, 0.2 mile. Traffic reduced to one lane in each direction over bridge.
WIS 64 between New Richmond and US 63 south, 7 miles. Pavement and bridge repairs reduce traffic to one lane at the Willow River with traffic controlled by a signal.
WIS 35 just north of Alma, 0.2 mile. Bridge replacement on WIS 35 reduces traffic to one lane with traffic controlled by a signal.