Highway 18-60 Project
This photo was taken above Ward Road facing towards Prairie du Chien. Ward Road was closed to allow for construction of an 8’ x 8’ x 726 linear foot precast box culvert as well as grading of the new westbound US 18 lanes. The box culvert was delivered in 111 separate pieces, each weighing more than 23,000 pounds. (Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin DOT)
Stage 1 of Highway 18-60
Project delayed but overall project
expected to get back on schedule
By Ted Pennekamp
Construction Project Leader Jay P. Adams, who is overseeing the construction of the Highway 18-60 Project in the town of Bridgeport, said that recent rains have delayed Stage 1 of the project, but Stage 2 should be completed in November.
“We are expecting Stage 1 to be complete in August which is approximately a month later than the original schedule showed,” said Adams. “Rainy weather has certainly slowed the progress of grading, but through construction staging revisions and additional personnel on the job, Stage 2 is expected to be complete in November in time for the winter shutdown as originally planned.”
Adams also noted that various roads connected to Highway 18 will be altered and some will be closed to traffic at various times throughout the project.
“Bouska Road will be closed while it is reconstructed. During that time, access will be maintained via Ward Road. The west end of Old Highway 18 will no longer access US 18 in the current location. However, when the project is complete, Old Highway 18 will connect with Cabin Hill Lane,” said Adams. “All of the side roads on the project will be reconstructed, however access to all properties and businesses will be maintained through alternate routes. Ward Road will not likely open sometime on Monday, July 11 because of the rain this week.”
Adams also said, “The project will be open to traffic throughout construction, however delays can be expected while flaggers and temporary signals are present. Motorists are always asked to be patient, provide for additional travel time, slow down, buckle up, avoid distractions, and don’t drink and drive.”
Adams said concrete pavement is scheduled to begin the third week of July and last for several weeks. The concrete is going to be batched from a portable plant that is set up just north of Walmart.
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 $17 million 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.
The project is estimated to take all of the 2016 construction season, suspend for the winter, resume in the spring, and be completed in May of 2017.
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. 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.
