Posted Friday, June 12, 2009 --- 1:45 p.m.

From the Department of Transportation:

Construction season is underway in Wisconsin. Motorists should remain alert to work zones when traveling, slow down, and use alternate routes. Motorists can get up-to-the-minute travel information by either dialing 511 or going to a new Web site offered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The Web site, www.511wi.gov, provides travelers with traffic and road information on Wisconsin's main highways, including the Interstate system.

Beginning June 15 to June 21, 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. US 14 will remain open to local traffic and businesses for the duration of the project.
Contact: Curt Neuhauser, (608) 245-2676

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

Highway: US 151 (East Washington Avenue)
Location: Marquette Street to Pinecrest Drive, Madison
Schedule: Feb. - Dec. 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 closed, but anticipated to be opened mid-week. When Rethke opens, Commercial Avenue will be closed to thru traffic between Rethke Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue.
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

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: US 35
Location: West of Lancaster
Schedule: June 15-Oct. 20, 2009
Description: Bridge replacement, grading and new pavement approach to bridge.
Traffic Impact: Road closed to all traffic. Detour utilizes County N, County U and WIS 81.
Contact: Doreen McCarty (608) 792-1736

Highway: WIS 133
Location: County N - Cassville
Schedule: March 16 - Nov. 22, 2009
Description: Reconstruction of WIS 133
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
Grant County

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

Highway: WIS 59
Location: Palmyra to Whitewater (Second Street to Walworth County Line)
Schedule: June 8, 2009 – October 31, 2009
Description: Within the Village of Palmyra the underground facilities will be replaced and the roadway will be reconstructed. From Palmyra to Whitewater the roadway surface will be pulverized and a new asphaltic surface placed.
Traffic Impact: Traffic will be detoured to US 12 to Fort Atkinson and WIS 106 to Palmyra. Local access to businesses and residences will be maintained on WIS 59 during construction.
Contact: Teri Schopp (608) 516-6467 or teri.schopp@dpot.state.wi.us

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

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
Description: Structure work
Traffic Impact: I-90 counter-directional traffic. Single lane of eastbound and westbound traffic on westbound roadway.
Contact: Chris Dahl (608)-792-5809

Rock County
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-Nov. 14, 2009
Traffic Impact: Single lane of traffic both directions
Contact: Doug Sina (608) 516-3864

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.
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

Sauk County
Highway: US 12
Location: I-90/94 - Baraboo
Schedule: April 6, 2009 - Nov. 19, 2010
Description: Work continues along the new US 12 by-pass corridor with earth-moving and grading operations along with culvert, storm sewer and utility installations.
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

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 - Nov. 25, 2009
Traffic Impact: Road closed. WIS 78 detoured (US 12 - WIS 159 - County DL). Local access only. WIS 78 open from the ferry in Merrimac to WIS 113 north until July 15, 2009. After July 15, WIS 78 north open from ferry in Merrimac, and WIS 113 will be detoured on WIS 78 north to County DL.
Contact: Robert Lex (608) 246-5622

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.