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Highway 18-60 Construction

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The clearing of trees and landscaping has been ongoing since mid-March as part of the Highway 18-Highway 60 Project. Depending upon the weather, some paving for the $17 million project could begin soon.

 

Paving should begin soon 

on Highway 18-60 Project

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The $17 million Highway 18-Highway 60 project began a few weeks ago with the clearing of trees and landscaping on both sides of Highway 18 in the town of Bridgeport.

The project is on U.S. Highway 18 between South Town Lane in Prairie du Chien and the Wisconsin River Bridge in Crawford County. The project also extends along State Highway 60 approximately 1,000 feet. The total project length is 3.2 miles.

The project, which is both state and federally funded, consists of reconstructing this corridor from the current two-lane configuration to a four-lane facility with a 50-foot median. Several side roads along the corridor will be realigned in order to consolidate access locations. Left and right turn lanes will be added at most intersections to improve traffic flow and safety. The finished project will consist of two 12-foot lanes, an 8-foot shoulder on the outside, and a 6-foot shoulder on the inside in each direction. The surface will be concrete pavement. Drainage will be improved with additional ditching and new drainage structures throughout the length of the project.

“Weather permitting, the contractors will be paving the asphalt required for traffic staging April 6,” said Project Manager Tim Maedke. “The actual traffic switch is scheduled for late this week and early next week. Since even a little rain can prevent pavement markings from being placed, parts of this work are very weather sensitive. After this traffic switch is completed, the work area for the westbound lanes becomes available to the contractors and larger crews and more equipment will be on site so motorists will see a significant increase in activity.”

Maedke said that the project is estimated to take all of the 2016 construction season (April–November), suspend for the winter, resume in the spring, and be completed in May of 2017.

Maedke said that traffic efficiency and safety are the primary reasons for the project. Additional lanes, dedicated turn lanes, and consolidation of access points are design elements that contribute to the increased safety and efficiency.

The intersection of Highway 18 and Highway 60 will also be made easier and safer.

“The most notable change to the US18/STH60 interchange will be improved lane designation which makes navigation through the intersection easier to understand,” said Maedke. “This is accomplished through longer and better marked turn lanes and tapers, raised islands, and updated pavement marking and signing. The intersection will be larger so the motorist will get in the proper lane sooner than they do in the current configuration. This eliminates some of the confusion associated with a tighter intersection design.”

Traffic will be maintained throughout the project during construction, Maedke said. Several stages will be required to maintain traffic so drivers should be alert for shifting traffic patterns. Traffic flagging operations should also be expected. Access will be available to local businesses and residences during the duration of the project, and both highways will remain open to traffic. However, some side roads will be closed for reconstruction, and access will be provided through alternate routes.

“We remind motorists to use extra caution in all work zones,” Maedke said. “Conditions change frequently within a work zone so in order to keep everyone safe, motorists are asked to slow down, be patient, avoid distractions, and expect the unexpected.”

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